Military Police Drop Magazine and Lose Handcuffs During Tensions in South Korea’s National Assembly

Following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Tuesday evening, armed military police were deployed to the National Assembly in Seoul. During a tense confrontation, it was revealed that one of the troops dropped a magazine while carrying out their mission inside the building.

According to a report by JTBC on Wednesday, the military police lost the magazine during their operation as they attempted to force their way into the National Assembly. The incident occurred as lawmakers and their staff gathered in the main chamber.

As members of the National Assembly took their seats on Tuesday evening, martial law troops armed with semi-automatic rifles tried to enter the building. This led to a heated confrontation between the forces and lawmakers and their staff, who resisted the attempted entry.

Despite intense opposition, the military police could not breach the main assembly hall. However, during the scuffle, one of the troops dropped a magazine that appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol. Photographs suggest the magazine was loaded with live ammunition.

A National Assembly official at the scene explained, “The military withdrew without realizing the magazine had fallen during the scuffle, and it was discovered later.”

Lee Sang Hyeop, a defense and intelligence expert with South Korea’s Democratic Party, commented on the situation, saying, “Losing a magazine during an operation is a serious issue,” adding, “It should be possible to identify exactly which unit was involved in the operation at the time.”

At the same time, tensions continued at the back entrance of the National Assembly, where a dispute broke out between military police and officials over access control and whether the troops were carrying live ammunition.

It was also revealed that the military police lost handcuffs, which they were likely intending to use during arrests.

Rep. Kim Min Seok, a senior member of South Korea’s Democratic Party, spoke out about the incident during a rally on Wednesday in front of the National Assembly, where protesters called for Yoon’s resignation and impeachment. At the rally, Kim displayed military-grade zip ties, claiming, “These are the handcuffs dropped by the martial law troops who attempted to storm the National Assembly. They intended to use these to bind South Korea’s democracy and to silence opposition leaders.”

The opposition has vowed to investigate the events surrounding the military’s forceful entry attempt, including holding hearings in the National Defense Committee to determine the full extent of the military’s actions.