Former Defense Security Command Commander Cho Hyun-cheon (64), suspected of drafting the martial law review document, was arrested by prosecutors immediately after arriving in the country on the 29th. It has been 5 years and 3 months since he left for the United States in December 2017.
Former Defense Security Command Commander Cho Hyun-cheon, a key figure in the alleged martial law document case during former President Park Geun-hye's administration, is seen speaking after being escorted to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office following his arrival through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the morning of the 29th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
According to prosecutors on the 29th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office executed an arrest warrant on former Commander Cho at Incheon International Airport at around 6:34 a.m. and then transported him to the office.
While being arrested and coming out of the arrival hall, former Commander Cho told reporters that he hopes this will be an opportunity to clarify the essence of the case and resolve the suspicions. He said, “As the person responsible for drafting the martial law document, I returned to reveal the substantive truth of the martial law document and to take responsibility if there is anything I must be accountable for,” adding, “I hope that through the prosecution’s investigation, the essence of the martial law document will be clarified and the suspicions held by the public will be resolved.”
Regarding his delayed return despite expressing his intention to return last September, he explained, “It was delayed because I took some time to prepare for my return, but I returned normally.”
When asked about the problematic nature of the martial law document or the report to then Minister of National Defense Han Min-gu, he declined to answer, saying, “I will clarify through the prosecution’s investigation.”
Former Commander Cho is suspected of having formed a 'Martial Law Document Drafting Task Force (TF)' in February 2017, ordering the drafting of the martial law review document, and reporting it to former Minister Han. The document is known to have dealt with plans to suppress rallies and demonstrations demanding the resignation of former President Park Geun-hye by force.
The 'Joint Military-Prosecutor Investigation Team on Martial Law Document Related Suspicions' had suspended prosecution in November 2018, citing difficulties in securing former Commander Cho’s custody. Former Commander Cho was discharged in September 2017 and left for the United States in December of the same year.
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