Testimony of the Special Forces Battalion Commander Deployed to the National Assembly during Martial Law
Kim Hyung-ki, the commander of the 1st Special Forces Battalion of the Army Special Warfare Command, who was deployed to the National Assembly during the martial law on December 3, testified as a witness in the trial of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, stating, "I do not serve people."
This was the same remark made by former President Yoon during his time as a prosecutor.
On the 21st, Kim appeared as a witness in the trial concerning former President Yoon's charges of being the leader of a coup d'état at the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 25, presided over by Judge Ji Gwi-yeon. Before finishing his testimony, he mentioned, "There is something I really want to say," and added, "I am 43 years old and have served in the military for 23 years. What remains unchanged is 'protecting the country and the people.'"
He then emphasized, "I do not serve people. I serve the organization, which is tasked with protecting the nation and the people."
This brought to mind the past remarks made by former President Yoon that had become a topic of discussion.
Former President Yoon, during the investigation into the 'National Intelligence Service's Comment Scandal' in 2013, attended a National Assembly inspection and made explosive claims of undue investigation direction from above while stating, "I do not serve people." This statement drew significant attention.
At that time, the then-head of the Suwon District Prosecutor's Office, former President Yoon, responded to a question from a People Power Party lawmaker asking whether he was loyal to former Prosecutor General Chae Dong-wook, saying that he does not serve people.
This phrase has since been regarded as a sort of 'catchphrase' for former President Yoon.
When Kim made this statement, former President Yoon kept his eyes closed for most of the time but began to gaze at Kim as his statement concluded.
Yoon's Lawyer Regarding 'Maintaining Order in the National Assembly': "Why Bring Guns to Maintain Order?"
On the 14th, during the prosecutor's questioning, Kim testified that during the martial law, he received orders from his immediate superior, Major General Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade of the Special Warfare Command, to pull lawmakers out over the wall. However, he did not pass this order down to his subordinates due to the lack of judgment about whether it was a legitimate order and the situation at hand.
That day, Kim highlighted, "Someone called it disobedience to me because our organization is strictly operated on the basis of hierarchy," adding, "However, obedience to senior orders is limited to when one is entrusted with the mission of protecting the country and the people."
He continued, "How could I execute the order I received on December 4? I would rather be punished for disobedience. My subordinates did nothing, and because of that, nothing happened. Thanks to that, we were able to protect democracy."
On that day, Kim also made it clear about his views during the cross-examination conducted by former President Yoon's side.
When attorney Wi Hyun-seok from Yoon's side asked, "Have you ever thought that you need to maintain order in the National Assembly?" Kim answered, "Maintaining order is not the military's duty."
To the question, "Isn't it martial law if the military goes in when order cannot be maintained?" Kim replied, "Why would you bring guns to maintain order?" which elicited laughter from the audience.
To the remark, "I believe it's wrong for the general public to enter the National Assembly without consent; didn't you recognize that?" Kim responded, "They probably came in because it was okay."
Image source: Former President Yoon Seok-yeol is attending the second official trial concerning charges of being the leader of a coup at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong on April 21, 2025. / News1, Kim Hyung-ki, Commander of the 1st Special Forces Battalion / MBC, Armed martial law soldiers leaving the National Assembly / News1, News1.
