Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min enters the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on July 31, 2025, to attend his arrest warrant hearing, in this file photo. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – A special counsel team indicted former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min on Tuesday on charges of abuse of authority and his role in the short-lived imposition of martial law in early December last year.
The team led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk said Lee is accused of playing an active role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law in December.
Lee is also accused of aiding and abetting the martial law imposition by not actively stopping Yoon from illegally declaring the decree.
Lee is also suspected of instructing the police and fire agency to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the then administration.
Earlier this month, the former interior minister was arrested on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection, abuse of power and perjury.
Lee’s indictment marks the second former Cabinet member in connection with the December martial law imposition, following the arrest of ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Earlier in the day, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also appeared for questioning over his alleged involvement in Yoon’s botched attempt to impose martial law.
Cho’s team is expected to decide whether to seek an arrest warrant against Han after questioning him.
Special prosecutors suspect Han played a key role in Yoon’s declaration, considering the procedures to declare martial law require involvement from the prime minister.
(Yonhap)
