Did South Korea’s Ex-Defense Chief Try to Start a War? Shocking Claims About Martial Law and North Korea

Allegations have emerged that former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, a close confidant of President Yoon Suk Yeol, may have attempted to impose martial law after assuming office in September. The controversy has deepened amid claims that Kim and former Defense Security Commander Yeo In Hyung allegedly instigated North Korean aggression.

On Sunday, the Democratic Party reported that internal military sources revealed the October “Pyongyang drone” incident was orchestrated under Kim’s directives and Yeo’s planning.

Democratic Party Defense Committee member Park Beom Gye and defense expert Lee Sang Hyeop disclosed that military sources confirmed a South Korean drone had breached Pyongyang’s airspace. They stated that the operation was intended to heighten tensions with North Korea.

Park alleged that when debris-laden balloons were sent from North Korea, Kim ordered the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to open fire. When JCS Chairman Kim Myung Soo refused, Kim reportedly caused a disturbance at JCS headquarters.

In addition, Democratic Party member Lee Gi Heon claimed to have received information from a high-ranking military official indicating that Kim had instructed warning shots to be fired and the origin of the balloons to be targeted. The Democratic Party suspects Kim may have sought to impose martial law shortly after taking office. The JCS, however, officially denies receiving orders to strike North Korean targets.

On October 11, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a rare and strongly worded statement, alleging that South Korea had used drones to drop anti-North Korean leaflets over Pyongyang. The ministry asserted that South Korean drones had infiltrated central Pyongyang’s airspace on October 3, 9, and 10, warning, “The Republic of Korea has chosen self-destruction. We are prepared with all means of attack.”

Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s state-run newspaper, published the full statement titled “The Trigger for Defending Sovereignty and Safeguarding Security Will Be Pulled Without Hesitation.” This hardline stance was also repeatedly broadcast on state radio.

During his inauguration on September 6, Kim declared, “We will establish an overwhelming defense posture to deter enemy provocations. If provoked, we will respond immediately, forcefully, and conclusively.” His remarks directly targeted the North Korean regime, emphasizing its “end,” which he implied was the regime’s downfall.

Experts have warned that sending drones into North Korean airspace could violate the armistice agreement and potentially lead to action by the International Court of Justice.