In December of last year, those who were in the military during the martial law provide detailed testimonies about the internal situation.
On the 24th at 10:20 PM, MBC's current affairs program ‘PD Notebook’ will air the episode titled ‘December Insurrection, I Was a Martial Law Soldier’.
“A soldier protects and is loyal to the nation and the people.” This principle, stated in Article 20 of the Basic Law on Military Service regarding the duty of loyalty, could not be upheld on the night of the martial law declaration on December 3. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol mobilized the military for his political purposes, and as a result, the martial law soldiers became a threat to national security rather than the protectors they were meant to be.
In the aftermath of the December 3 insurrection, former President Yoon Suk-yeol is facing charges of insurrection leader, while former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and military leaders Lee Jin-woo and Park An-soo are being tried for their roles in the insurrection. Most of them deny the related charges and are engaged in fierce legal battles.
On the other hand, the ordinary martial law soldiers who had to confront citizens under unconstitutional orders are still suffering from PTSD and report mental anguish. These soldiers, who were forced to grapple with the dilemma between disobedience and obedience, how do they remember that night?
Wrong Orders and Disobedience
Martial law soldier A recalls the situation of confronting the public during the night of martial law and detailed the events that unfolded within the military through ‘PD Notebook’. Deployed without prior notice of where they were heading or why, the soldiers instinctively sensed that something was wrong the moment they entered the National Assembly.
After receiving the direct order to “drag out the members of the National Assembly,” individual soldiers instinctively realized what was right, and every small action taken by the martial law soldiers on the scene contributed to a reversal of the situation.
Former Operations Chief Kim Moon-sang of the Capital Defense Command prevented the deployment of helicopters and armored vehicles, while 1st Special Forces Battalion Commander Kim Hyung-ki instructed his troops to respond passively instead of actively carrying out their mission. Even in the extreme situation of imminent conflict, the small acts of disobedience by the on-site commanders, who continued to act courageously according to the constitution and military spirit, made a difference.
These small acts of disobedience helped to ease the standoff between the military and citizens, which could have escalated into violent clashes, and ultimately allowed the members of the National Assembly to pass the resolution to lift martial law over the wall. ‘PD Notebook’ reconstructed that day when the public and military faced off from the perspective of the martial law soldiers.
Secret Meetings of the President and Generals
‘PD Notebook’ secured and analyzed the investigation records of the December 3 insurrection. It was revealed that former President Yoon Suk-yeol held meetings with key military figures such as former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, former Intelligence Command Chief Yeo In-hyung, and former Capital Defense Command Chief Lee Jin-woo at the presidential residence and the Minister of National Defense's residence to plot the martial law.
According to the prosecutors' investigation report on the generals, former President Yoon Suk-yeol directly mentioned martial law starting in early 2024 and discussed specific targets for arrest and locations for martial law over the course of about a year. What were the true intentions behind former President Yoon Suk-yeol's plotting of martial law, and what were the thoughts of the generals? The process of the insurrection was analyzed.
The military has always been present during crises in South Korean democracy. Through this December 3 insurrection, the South Korean military faced another test. Most of the military leadership will be tried in military courts as key participants in the insurrection, while the remaining military has been tasked with restoring the fallen honor of the military. The first step towards true military reform is a thorough investigation of the insurrection and punishment of those involved.
‘PD Notebook’ investigated the current situation of the military, which has been stigmatized as martial law soldiers. ‘December Insurrection, I Was a Martial Law Soldier’ will be broadcast on the 24th at 10:20 PM.
