SEOUL: Police retrieved a secure mobile phone used by former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun during a raid on the defense ministry headquarters, officials confirmed. The operation was part of an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent, brief declaration of martial law. According to Yonhap News Agency, the phone was found by police investigators at the presidential office compound. This compound also houses the defense ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) headquarters. The retrieval is significant as Yoon and Kim reportedly used these secure phones to issue orders to field commanders during the six hours when martial law was in effect from December 3 to 4. Further, police conducted a raid at the Capital Defense Command headquarters, seizing material from servers connected to the phones, which have anti-eavesdropping and anti-voice recording capabilities. In contrast, the JCS voluntarily submitted materials, including surveillance footage of the command and control center, used as the marti al law command's situation room before and after the decree. Reportedly, Yoon met with military officials at the command and control center shortly after the National Assembly voted to lift the decree on December 4. Notably, the presidential office was not included in Thursday's raid, despite police efforts the previous day to search key locations such as the Cabinet conference room and the Presidential Security Service. On Sunday, police attempted but failed to secure Kim's phone during a search of his office and official residence, making the recent retrieval a pivotal development in the ongoing investigation.