Thirty personnel of the South Korean military are under investigation over their alleged involvement in a short-lived declaration of martial law by now-suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The News Agency Yonhap reported this on Wednesday, citing a Defence Ministry report.

Mr Yoon had defended his decision to declare martial law, a decree that he announced in a shock address to the nation on the evening of December 3.

He rescinded it just a few hours later.

To many, the move appeared to be an attempt to crack down on his political opponents.

Seventeen generals and 13 officers had so far been notified that they are being investigated over Yoon’s martial law declaration.

The Yonhap report cited a ministry report sent to Ahn Gyu-back of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

The list included chief of staff of the army, Park An-su, who was appointed as martial law commander, the agency reported. He is among five service members indicted on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials has recommended that Mr Yoon, 64, also be indicted on those charges.
Impeachment proceedings are also underway against the suspended president at the Constitutional Court.

(dpa/NAN)