On Martial Law Day, Police Blocked National Assembly "Jo Jiho and Kim Bongsik Ordered Access Control"

Joo Jinwoo Testifies in Court on Martial Law Proclamation Controversy
Says "Commissioner Jo's Order" Led to National Assembly Lockdown

Police senior officials who appeared as witnesses regarding the lockdown of the National Assembly on the day of the 12·3 emergency martial law testified that the full access control of the National Assembly was carried out under the orders of Police Commissioner Jo Ji-ho and former Seoul Police Commissioner Kim Bong-sik.

Former Commissioner of the National Police Agency Jo Ji-ho, who was indicted on charges of engaging in important duties related to the December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident, is heading to the courtroom to attend the continuation of the first trial held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 31st. 2025. 03. 31 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

On the 31st, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 (Presiding Judge Ji Gui-yeon) held a trial session for four police commanders accused of participating in the rebellion, including Commissioner Jo, former Commissioner Kim, former Police Agency National Investigation Headquarters Investigation Planning Coordinator Yoon Seung-young, and former National Assembly Security Commander Mok Hyun-tae, and heard such testimonies.

Former Seoul Police Department Security Chief Joo Jin-woo said, "There was controversy over Martial Law Proclamation No. 1, which banned political activities, but then Seoul Police Department Public Safety Deputy Chief Choi Hyun-seok appeared and said, 'In emergencies, the proclamation has legal effect.'" He added, "After hearing that, former Commissioner Kim made a conclusion and said, 'This is Commissioner Jo's order,' waving his hand dismissively while holding the radio and saying we must follow the proclamation."

There was a controversy among the personnel gathered at the Seoul Police Department Situation Command Center during the martial law period. When former Deputy Chief Choi, a legal professional who passed the bar exam, mentioned that the proclamation should take precedence, former Commissioner Kim directly gave orders via radio, according to the testimony.

Furthermore, when the prosecution asked former Security Chief Joo, "Isn't it unusual that the Seoul Police Commissioner gave direct orders rather than through the Security and Safety Division Chief?" he answered, "Yes." When the prosecution asked, "Commissioner Jo and former Commissioner Kim had three phone calls between 11:18 p.m. and 11:23 p.m. Did Commissioner Jo give any orders?" former Security Chief Joo replied, "I think so."

Meanwhile, when the prosecution asked whether there was a wartime, emergency, or national emergency situation on the day of the martial law, he said, "I am not aware of any." Commissioner Jo and former Commissioner Kim were arrested and indicted on January 8 for their involvement in locking down the National Assembly during the emergency martial law and operating arrest squads targeting key figures such as Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party.

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