By Seda Sevencan
ISTANBUL (AA) - Former South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was arrested Friday on suspicion of helping ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol in a brief attempt to impose martial law last year, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Lee, citing concerns he could destroy evidence.
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team had sought Lee’s arrest on charges of insurrection, abuse of power and perjury. He is accused of helping the December martial law attempt by failing to stop Yoon from declaring it and by instructing the police and fire agency to cut power and water to media outlets critical of the then administration.
He is the second Cabinet member of the Yoon administration to be arrested in connection with the martial law episode following former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Lee denied the allegations during a court hearing Thursday. The warrant was issued hours later after judges reviewed arguments from both Lee and the special counsel team investigating Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law.