SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Yonhap) -- Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was arrested Friday for al...
1 (Yonhap) -- Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was arrested Friday for al...
1 (Yonhap) -- Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was arrested Friday for allegedly conspiring with former President Yoon Suk Yeol in his brief attempt to impose martial law last year.
The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Lee, citing concerns he may destroy evidence.
Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team, which is investigating Yoon's martial law attempt, had sought Lee's arrest on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection, abuse of power and perjury.
Lee is suspected of aiding and abetting the martial law imposition in December by not actively stopping Yoon from illegally declaring the decree, and instructing the police and fire agency to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the then administration.
The former minister is the second Cabinet member of the Yoon administration to be arrested in connection with the martial law episode after former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
Lee attended a court hearing Thursday to deny the charges, but the court issued the warrant hours later after reviewing his arguments and those of the special counsel team.
Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min (R) enters the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul on July 31, 2025, to attend his arrest warrant hearing.
The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.
For public institutions and political groups, the next test is whether the issue remains a public argument or turns into a formal response, legal proceeding, administrative instruction or election-related communication.
The source page records the update at 01 Aug 2025, 03:49 AM, and the story should be followed for any later corrections or clarifications.
