Former South Korean intelligence chief Cho Tae-yong, who headed the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea during the imposition of martial law in 2024, has been arrested on charges of dereliction of duty. The arrest followed a request from the special prosecution, which saw in Cho’s actions a neglect of the duties of the head of the intelligence agency, including the possible destruction of evidence.
The Seoul Central District Court approved the arrest warrant on November 11, citing the existence of a “risk of evidence destruction.” According to prosecutors, the key accusation is negligence. Cho, being a professional diplomat, did not report to the parliament about President Yoon Suk-yeol’s imposition of martial law in December 2024, despite being aware of the illegality of this decision. State Prosecutor Park Ji-young said there is an increased “probability of his involvement in rebellion.”
Cho’s arrest follows the already filed charge against Yoon of aiding the enemy, related to orders for drone flights over North Korea as part of the plan to impose martial law. North Korea stated in 2024 that it had “evidence” of South Korean drones being used to distribute propaganda over Pyongyang, which Seoul’s military did not confirm.
Yoon Suk-yeol provoked a political crisis in South Korea by attempting in December 2024 to overthrow the civilian government by sending armed soldiers into the parliament to prevent a vote against the imposition of martial law. The attempt failed, and Yoon was detained in January during a morning raid, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be taken into custody.
Yoon is currently on trial on charges of rebellion and other crimes related to the declaration of martial law. His wife, Kim Keon-hee, is also in custody and awaiting trial on corruption charges, including stock manipulation. This is the first case in the country’s history where a former first couple has been detained.