Archive · 12 Nov 2025
South Korea Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Former Spy Chief in Martial Law Probe
Imagine a country's top spy chief was aware of a plan by the former president to take special emergency powers, called martial law.
The law says he should tell the parliament about such plans, but prosecutors say he didn't.
Because they worry he might destroy proof of this, a judge has issued a warrant to arrest him.
The spy chief says he didn't do anything wrong.
This is all part of an investigation into the former president's actions.
A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for former spy agency chief Cho Tae-yong.
The warrant is related to a probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2024 martial law declaration.
Prosecutors allege Cho was aware of the plan and did not report it to parliament.
The Seoul Central District Court cited concerns about evidence destruction as a reason for the warrant.
Cho Tae-yong denied all charges against him at a warrant hearing.
- Who
- Cho Tae-yong, former chief of South Korea's National Intelligence Service
- What
- An arrest warrant has been issued for Cho Tae-yong in connection with a probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law.
- When
- The warrant was issued on Tuesday, and reported on Wednesday.
- Where
- Seoul Central District Court, South Korea
- Why
- Concerns about destroying evidence and alleged failure to report the martial law plan to parliament.
Prosecutors' Allegations
Cho Tae-yong's Defense
Awareness and Reporting of Martial Law Plan
Prosecutors' Allegations
Cho Tae-yong, as chief of the National Intelligence Service, was aware of former president Yoon Suk Yeol's plan to impose martial law but failed to report it to parliament.
Cho Tae-yong's Defense
Cho Tae-yong denied all charges against him during the warrant hearing.
Charges
Prosecutors' Allegations
Charges include violation of a law that prohibits participation in political activities.
Cho Tae-yong's Defense
Cho Tae-yong denied all charges.
- Arrest Warrant Issued For
- Cho Tae-yong (Former NIS Chief)
- Reason for Warrant
- Concerns about destroying evidence
- Investigation Focus
- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2024 declaration of martial law
- Alleged Offense
- Failure to report presidential martial law plan to parliament; violation of laws prohibiting political activity
- Date of Warrant Issuance
- Tuesday
- Reported Date
- Wednesday