President Yoon Suk Yeol appointed Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo, a four-star general, as the commander of martial law.
Born in 1968, Commander Park is a graduate of the 46th class of the Military Academy and was appointed as the army chief of staff in last year’s military general appointments.
He served as the commander of the 8th Army, commander of the 39th Infantry Division, and chief of operational planning at the Ground Operations Command.
Under martial law, the president is required to appoint a general-level officer recommended by the defense minister among active general-level officers after the Cabinet has deliberated.
At the same time as the emergency martial law is declared, the martial law commander is in charge of all administrative and judicial affairs in the martial law area. Administrative and judicial institutions in martial law areas must be directed and supervised by the martial law commander without delay.
The martial law commander may take special measures against arrest, detention, seizure, search, residence, relocation, media, publication, assembly, association, or collective action when necessary for military purposes in an emergency martial law area.
In addition, the authority to mobilize or requisition as prescribed by law or to destroy or incinerate the people's property in case of operational necessity is also granted.
The martial law commander is typically directed and supervised by the Minister of Defense in the enforcement of martial law. However, if martial law is declared nationwide and the president needs to take direct action, the commander is then under the command and supervision of the president.