Military rights group raises suspicion of second martial law

The image shows soldiers running past National Assembly staff to enter the second-floor corridor of the building on Tuesday night. Courtesy of the National Assembly Secretariat

Claims multiple Army units are preparing for emergency recall

By KTimes

The Center for Military Human Rights Korea (CMHRK) alleged that there is evidence of preparations for a second martial law, claiming that some Army units are restricting leave for commanding officers, including company commanders and above, in anticipation of an emergency recall by Sunday.

On Saturday, the National Assembly is expected to vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol.

In a Friday press conference, the CMHRK said, “Several Army units issued instructions to maintain normal leave policies for all personnel between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Dec. 4, as per guidance from higher commands, while adding a directive to restrict leave until Dec. 8 in preparation for a possible emergency recall of commanding officers.”

The group described the move as “a highly alarming sign.”

The CMHRK suspects that these developments point to preparations for a second martial law. They argue that the timing of the directive and the leave restrictions imposed solely on the Army — whose units formed the backbone of the previous martial law deployment — raise serious questions.

“The opposition party declared at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4 that it would handle the impeachment motion during the plenary session at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7,” the group noted, adding, “The leave restriction period ending the day after the impeachment motion’s scheduled vote provides ample grounds for suspicion.”

The CMHRK also highlighted reports that, while multiple Army units are implementing leave restrictions, some are also prohibiting external outings for on-base officers and conducting thorough vehicle searches at unit gates.

“Meanwhile, the Navy and Air Force are confirmed not to be maintaining emergency status,” the group added.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.