SEOUL: A South Korea court on Monday dismissed former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Cho Tae-yong's petition against his arrest, keeping him in custody over his alleged involvement in former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law.
The Seoul Central District Court issued the ruling after holding a hearing the previous day on whether Cho's arrest was legal and should remain in place.
The former spy chief had filed the petition following his arrest Wednesday on charges of NIS law violations, dereliction of duty, perjury, destruction of evidence, creation of false official documents and false testimony at parliament, all in connection with the December 3 martial law declaration.
Cho's side had argued his arrest was not necessary because most of the key evidence in his case had already been secured through raids or questioning of witnesses, removing concerns he may destroy evidence, a reason cited for his arrest.