Seoul: A Seoul court on Saturday rejected a request by former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun seeking to suspend the execution of indictments by a special counsel probing his alleged role in the short-lived imposition of martial law.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho Eun-suk, the independent counsel investigating the case, additionally indicted the former minister on Wednesday on charges including obstruction of official duties and abetting the destruction of evidence. The special counsel also requested the court to cancel a bail decision and issue a new detention warrant.

In response, Kim's side raised an objection and filed for the suspension of execution, as well as for a change of a hearing date scheduled for next week to determine whether to extend the arrest of the former defense minister who has been in custody since December.

The court's decision is seen as an apparent acknowledgement of the legality and validity of the additional indictments by the special counsel against Kim. On Friday, Cho submitted an opinion letter calling for the court to dismiss Kim's appeal, citing procedural flaws.