Arrest Warrant Denied for Former Ground Operations Commander Kang Ho-pil Over 'Insurrection' Allegations

The arrest warrant for former Army Ground Operations Commander Kang Ho-pil, who is suspected of participating in an insurrection related to the December 3 emergency martial law, has been denied.

Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court, who oversees insurrection-related warrants, held a pre-arrest interrogation (warrant validity review) for Kang on July 13. The court denied the arrest warrant requested by the Second Special Prosecutor's Team led by Kwon Chang-young, stating that "there is room for dispute regarding the criminal charges, and in light of the progress of the investigation, it is difficult to see a risk of evidence destruction or flight."

Kang is accused of ordering the formation of an internal situation room at the Ground Operations Command and the mobilization of the crisis management team and all command staff following the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3.

It was found that the Ground Operations Command, under Kang's leadership at the time, mobilized its crisis management team via a voice broadcast system at 10:36 p.m. on December 3, 2024, shortly after former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law.

The special prosecutor's team applied charges of engaging in important duties of insurrection, viewing Kang's actions as transitioning the Ground Operations Command into a "martial law response system" and participating in the martial law.

Kang is also suspected of having participated in related discussions even before the martial law was implemented.

However, it is reported that Kang denied all the allegations raised during the warrant review.

His position is that he was unaware of the emergency martial law in advance and was not involved in its execution.

After reviewing the arguments from both sides, the court sided with Kang by denying the warrant.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.