No similar active measures found at other public institutions; referrals and disciplinary action to be pursued

The Korea Rail Network Authority headquarters. [Korea Rail Network Authority]
The Korea Rail Network Authority headquarters. [Korea Rail Network Authority]

The Office for Government Policy Coordination said Sunday that the Korea Rail Network Authority, a public institution under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was confirmed to have actively cooperated during former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3.

A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport audit found that immediately after the martial law declaration, the Korea Rail Network Authority — acting on orders from its then-chairman — distributed the proclamation and required response measures to all staff by department, and activated an initial response team.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination said it would pursue follow-up measures against those involved, including criminal referrals and disciplinary action.

The audit was launched after allegations surfaced in May. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok ordered an investigation into the Korea Rail Network Authority's cooperation and directed officials to check whether similar conduct had occurred at other public institutions.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination conducted a comprehensive review of 340 public institutions under 49 central government agencies but found no active measures comparable to those taken by the Korea Rail Network Authority.

Korea Midland Power drafted an "emergency response plan for martial law declarations" on Dec. 10, 2024 — a week after the declaration — but no intent to cooperate with the unlawful martial law was confirmed. The company was, however, found to have violated security regulations in drafting the plan.

At 47 other institutions, officials found only limited activity: internal sharing of the proclamation's contents, reminders to staff about attendance and official conduct, and instructions for senior managers to remain on standby by phone.

"The findings will be shared with the relevant ministries, and institutions where problems were identified will undergo follow-up measures, including disciplinary requests, in accordance with established procedures," the Office for Government Policy Coordination said.


oskymoon@heraldcorp.com