Defense Ministry Launches Special Investigation Into Dec. 3 Martial Law

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense announced it will launch an investigation by its Defense Special Investigation Headquarters on Wednesday to uncover the truth and pursue punishment related to the illegal martial law declaration on December 3.

Deputy Spokesperson Lee Kyung-ho said at a regular briefing that the special investigation unit consists of 40 personnel, including military prosecutors, investigators and military police investigators, headed by the Defense Ministry's chief military prosecutor.

"The unit will investigate matters requiring further probe from the ministry's internal investigation results, as well as cases transferred from the special counsel on insurrection," Lee said.

"In particular, the Defense Intelligence Command and the Psychological Warfare Group will be thoroughly investigated by the special unit, taking into account the unique nature of military operations," he added.

The Defense Intelligence Command deployed troops to the National Election Commission during the December 3 martial law. The Psychological Warfare Group, which handles psychological operations against North Korea, is suspected of scattering anti-Pyongyang leaflets since October 2023 in what critics allege was an attempt to provoke an attack from the North.

Lee also announced that the ministry has added 27 personnel, including Colonel Park Jung-hoon, acting deputy chief of the ministry's investigation headquarters, to the government innovation task force for constitutional respect, establishing a new investigation and analysis office.

"This measure is aimed at conducting more rigorous and swift investigations, and the investigation and analysis office was established at the ministry's request to the Prime Minister's Office," he said.

With these additions, the total personnel dedicated to investigating the December 3 illegal martial law has expanded to 119.