Military Court Grants Extension of Detention from Previous Day
The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOGCID), which is investigating the emergency martial law incident, has extended the detention period of Moon Sang-ho, Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command. The case is planned to be transferred to the military prosecution soon.
A HOGCID official stated on the 25th, "The detention period of Commander Moon, which was until the 27th of this month, has been extended until the 6th of next month," adding, "We plan to transfer the case before the first detention deadline on the 27th."
Sang-ho Moon, Commander of the Republic of Korea Army Intelligence Command (Army Major General) Photo by Yonhap News
HOGCID originally planned to transfer the case to the military prosecution as early as today, but said that organizing the materials took time. The extension of detention was applied for and approved by the military court the day before.
Previously, the prosecution and HOGCID agreed to set the maximum detention period for suspects in the emergency martial law incident at 20 days, and discussed a plan for HOGCID to send the case to the prosecution before the 10th day, when HOGCID would need to apply to the court for an extension. As the first detention deadline (10 days) approached in two days, HOGCID appears to have obtained approval for the extension and decided to transfer the case to the military prosecution before the first deadline expired, considering the prior agreement.
A HOGCID official explained, "It is more efficient and legally proper to transfer the case directly to the military prosecution for indictment rather than transferring it to the prosecution first and then back to the military prosecution."
The police urgently arrested Commander Moon on the 15th on charges including rebellion, but the prosecution disapproved, citing violations of the Military Court Act's jurisdiction provisions. Since compulsory investigations of active-duty military personnel must be conducted under warrants issued by the military court, procedures such as arrest and detention must be carried out by military police or military prosecutors. Commander Moon, who was released, was handed over to HOGCID, which has investigative authority over general officers, and secured custody of him.
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