PM calls for proper judgment of people involved in martial law

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok bangs the gavel during a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok called Tuesday for properly judging those involved in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law, saying there are concerns the judiciary process is moving too slowly.

Kim made the remark during a Cabinet meeting ahead of the one-year mark for Yoon's surprise declaration of martial law on Dec. 3.

"I hope you will once again bear heavily in mind the people's order to swiftly and surely clean up the insurrection and move forward toward growth and a leap," he said, casting the martial law attempt as an insurrection.

"There must be no compromise or delay whatsoever in judging and cleaning up the insurrection," he said, citing what he said are concerns among the people that the process is moving too slowly or in the wrong direction based on what is seen in the trials of those implicated.

"We must uphold the people's will. The executive branch will fulfill its responsibility in order to do its part," he added.

Kim was apparently referring to recent cases where courts denied arrest warrants for suspects accused of involvement in Yoon's imposition of martial law and the refusal by some to testify before investigators or judges.