Prosecution Bans Visits and Letters to Kim Yong-hyun on 'Rebellion Charges'... Kim Requests Cancellation

Kim's lawyer: "There is a right to communicate with supporters of martial law"

The prosecution decided to prohibit former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who was detained on charges of insurrection, from meeting with ordinary people and from sending or receiving letters. In response, former Minister Kim filed a petition for a provisional injunction with the court to cancel these measures.

On the 19th, former Minister Kim's legal team stated, "Former Minister Kim has the right to communicate with citizens who support the emergency martial law," and argued, "The prohibition on meetings with ordinary people is a political act to isolate former Minister Kim." They then filed a petition for a provisional injunction with the court. A provisional injunction is a procedure to appeal to the court to cancel or change decisions related to detention or seizure by prosecutors or police.

Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

They also said, "Prohibiting the sending and receiving of letters infringes on the right to a fair defense," adding, "There is an alternative of censorship, so a total ban violates the principle of proportionality." The right of a detained or arrested suspect to meet with their lawyer is guaranteed by law, but investigative agencies may prohibit meetings with ordinary people who are not lawyers.

Former Minister Kim was urgently arrested by the prosecution on the 8th on charges of 'engaging in important duties related to insurrection' and 'abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights,' and was detained on the 10th. He is known as a figure who proposed martial law to President Yoon Seok-youl during the December 3 emergency martial law incident and was directly involved in the overall martial law.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.