"On Martial Law Day, Should Have Decided to Take Off Uniform.. Deeply Regret" Ye Inhyeong, Abandons Witness Examination

[Financial News]  Former Republic of Korea Counterintelligence Commander Ye Inhyeong expressed regret for deploying subordinates to the National Assembly and the Central Election Management Committee during the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law' following orders from former President Yoon Seok-yeol and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyeon, stating he will not proceed with witness examination in future trials.

Former Commander Ye, indicted on charges including important insurrection duties, stated at the trial held on the 8th at the Central Regional Military Court in Yongsan, Seoul, "On the day of the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law, I should have decided to take off my uniform and break away from the command structure. I deeply regret it," expressing his intention to abandon witness examination.

Former Commander Ye is accused of ordering the arrest of key figures such as politicians at the National Assembly and the Central Election Management Committee on the day martial law was declared, and of perjury regarding the deployment of martial law troops in the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of former President Yoon and the military court trial.

At the trial, he stated, "If I could go back to that time, I would have decisively decided to take off my uniform and break away from that command structure, and I deeply regret it now," adding, "However, as a career soldier, it was difficult to decide to take off my uniform without knowing whether martial law would be declared or not."

He continued, "Looking back now, I really regret it greatly," and "I have never thought that my judgment and actions after the declaration of martial law were free from responsibility, and I still believe that I must bear the full responsibility corresponding to my actions."

Former Commander Ye mentioned the issuance of an additional arrest warrant against him, saying, "I have come to realize anew what the will of the people and the court is. I humbly accept this result and have concluded that further witness examination regarding the facts is meaningless."

He stated, "I humbly accept this result and intend to forgo additional witness examination in future trials," while also expressing, "However, I hope the court will wisely judge whether my claim that I did not pre-approve or prepare for martial law is true."

He added, "The Counterintelligence Command was not aware of the martial law declaration in advance, and the unit members returned without reaching their destination after being dispatched to the National Assembly and the Election Commission following the sudden order from former Minister Kim," lamenting, "The sudden martial law declaration by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces has made the decades of loyalty and dedication of countless soldiers come to naught, which is truly devastating."

He further pleaded, "While I followed orders as a soldier, I acted prudently and wisely, and I once again appeal for leniency for my subordinates, the Counterintelligence Command agents, and if there is any responsibility as the commander, I hope it will all be addressed."

newssu@fnnews.com Kim Suyeon Reporter