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, the Seoul High Court handed down the decision, effectively dismissing a request by Kim's side that claimed the additional indictments were not within the scope of the special counsel's role and sought to suspend procedures related to them. The special counsel team notified reporters of the decision.

On Wednesday, Cho Eun-suk, the independent counsel investigating the case, additionally indicted the former minister 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 legal team said it has 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. A letter of objection reportedly has not been officially submitted to the Seoul High Court to date.

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.