South Korean ex‑army colonel Jo Seong‑hyun investigated for alleged rebellion during 12/3 martial law

Former army Colonel Jo Seong‑hyun, who led the 1st Security Detachment of the Capital Defense Command, was summoned by the comprehensive special prosecutor team led by Kwon Chang‑young on 10 May in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. He faces charges of “rebellion‑related important duty” for allegedly ordering troops to halt at Sogang Bridge and directing them not to cross during the 12 December emergency martial law, and for relaying commands to bring lawmakers out of the National Assembly. Jo told investigators he was “a bit dazed but will tell the truth.” The same day, former Prosecutor General Shim Woo‑jung was also called in, accused of attempting to send prosecutors to the joint investigation unit after the martial‑law decree and of allegedly covering up investigations into alleged stock‑price manipulation and luxury‑goods bribery cases.

The special prosecutor’s office indicated that even the initial directive to retrieve lawmakers could constitute a rebellion charge, and it will examine whether Jo’s actions violated the legal requirements for deploying troops during the emergency.