South Korean Military court to begin trial of 7 ex-commanders over alleged martial law involvement

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - A South Korean military court will begin a trial of seven former military officers next week over their alleged involvement in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid in December, the military said Monday.

The officers include the former commander of the Army's 707th Special Mission Group and six other soldiers who have all been placed on compulsory leave of absence, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The first hearing for the trial will take place at the central regional military court on June 5, two days after the country’s snap presidential election.

Among the soldiers facing trial are Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun, former commander of the 1st Special Forces Brigade, and Maj. Gen. Park Heon-su, head of the Defense Ministry's criminal investigation command.

All seven officers have been indicted on charges of involvement in former President Yoon’s failed martial law attempt.

Park has since been excluded from his duties, while the remaining soldiers have been dismissed from their posts.

They have been retained as servicemen, however, enabling the military to potentially take disciplinary measures if they are found guilty by the court.

The same military court is also hearing a trial involving another five key former commanders, including former martial law commander Park An-su, over their alleged involvement in martial law operations.

The country's Constitutional Court last month removed Yoon from office over his martial law bid.

Yoon is also facing criminal charges for allegedly leading an insurrection with the martial law attempt.

*Writing by Aamir Latif