Kwak Jong-geun, the previous chief of the Military Particular Warfare Command, speaks at a Nationwide Meeting listening to on Feb. 4, 2025, relating to Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial regulation declaration. (Yoon Woon-sik/Hankyoreh)
Throughout a gathering on Armed Forces Day final yr, then-President Yoon Suk-yeol stated he would “shoot and kill” political figures, together with the chief of the Individuals Energy Get together on the time, based on courtroom testimony by Kwak Jong-geun, the previous chief of the Military Particular Warfare Command.
Throughout a listening to in Yoon’s rebel trial on the Seoul Central District Court docket on Monday, Kwak testified as a witness that Yoon “talked about Han Dong-hoon and some politicians and advised [me] to deliver them earlier than him.” Han Dong-hoon was the chief of the Individuals Energy Get together on the time.
“You stated, ‘I’ll shoot and kill Han Dong-hoon if that’s what it takes,’” Kwak added, addressing Yoon within the courtroom.
Kwak claimed that Yoon made such remarks throughout a gathering of navy commanders on Armed Forces Day in October of 2024, round two months earlier than his declaration of martial regulation.
Yoon additionally spoke at Monday’s trial. Addressing Kwak, he stated, “Armed Forces Day is a celebration of the start of our navy,” and requested, “Why would we talk about political issues throughout such an occasion?”
On Oct. 1, 2024, Yoon had dinner with then-Protection Minister Kim Yong-hyun, former Capital Protection Command chief Lee Jin-woo, and former Protection Counterintelligence Command chief Yeo In-hyung at his official residence.
Kwak testified over the last listening to that Yoon made references to “emergency government authority” and “particular measures” and that these remarks hinted at martial regulation, however Yoon personally questioned Kwak on Monday and retorted that the Armed Forces Day celebration was not an event for discussing political issues or present affairs.
“For those who’re going to come back out like that, I’ll say one thing I’ve been holding again,” Kwak stated.
“You positively talked about Han Dong-hoon,” he stated, referring to the previous chief of the Individuals Energy Get together.
This was the primary time Kwak publicly claimed that Yoon talked about “taking pictures” Han to dying.
In response to Kwak’s accusation, Yoon stated, “I’ve stated earlier than that I routinely discuss nationwide governance once I meet individuals.” His remarks weren’t a direct refutation.
Yoon’s legal professional, We Hyeon-seok, then advised Kwak, “You’re saying loads of new issues. Why haven’t you stated any of this earlier than, particularly throughout the investigation carried out to this point?”
Kwak stated, “I didn’t say it on objective. I solely stated [other] issues about Han Dong-hoon [during interrogations].”
Yoon’s attorneys issued an announcement after the actual fact.
“Claims that former President Yoon Suk-yeol stated to shoot and kill Han Dong-hoon haven’t any foundation in fact. President Yoon by no means made such feedback.”
By Jung Hwan-bong, employees reporter; Oh Yeon-seo, employees reporter
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