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President Lee picks South Korea’s first civilian defense chief in 64 years

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated a five-term liberal lawmaker as defense minister Monday, breaking with a tradition of appointing retired military generals. The announcement came as several prominent former defense officials, including ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, face high-profile criminal trials over their roles in carrying out martial…

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South Korea's Martial Law: How the President's Plan Came Together and Fell Apart

South Korea’s Martial Law: How the President’s Plan Came Together and Fell Apart

The night of Dec. 3, President Yoon Suk Yeol stunned South Koreans when he declared martial law on television, reawakening dark memories of military rule. Military helicopters landed inside the National Assembly compound and troops moved to take control of the opposition-controlled parliamentary body. Mr. Yoon came close to disabling the Assembly, but he misjudged…

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Impeached South Korean President Released From Jail

Impeached South Korean President Released From Jail

Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s impeached president, who is standing trial on insurrection charges over his decision to impose martial law in December, was released from a detention center on Saturday, a day after a court ruled that his detention was invalid. The Seoul Central District Court ruled on Friday that prosecutors had violated procedural…

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