Army special warfare commander says Yoon ordered him to drag out lawmakers
Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, chief of the Army Special Warfare Command, speaks to lawmakers at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Newsis
The chief of the Army Special Warfare Command said Tuesday he was ordered by President Yoon Suk Yeol to drag out lawmakers from the National Assembly building during martial law operations last week.
Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun made the claim during a parliamentary defense committee meeting, saying Yoon called him on a secured phone.
"He said the quorum didn't appear to be met yet, so I should break down the doors, and go in and drag out the people inside," he said.
Kwak also told Rep. Park Beom-kye of the main opposition Democratic Party that he was aware of Yoon's plans to impose martial law two days in advance, on Dec. 1.
"Commander Kwak did not tell the prosecution that he knew in advance," Park said. "He said he did not testify because those involved in the martial law operations had already agreed on what they were going to say." (Yonhap)