[Exclusive] Kim Yong-hyun Ordered Joint Investigation Headquarters Personnel Appointment for 'Election Fraud Investigation,' but Personnel Planning Officer Rejected, Resulting in Failure

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun's 83-Page Indictment
Joint Investigation Headquarters Personnel Document on Election Fraud Allegations
Issued 'Ministry of Defense General Order' Document

It has been confirmed that the indictment of former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who was arrested and prosecuted on charges including engaging in important duties during an insurrection, contains evidence of an attempt to establish and appoint personnel for the 2nd Investigation Division of the Joint Investigation Headquarters to investigate allegations of election fraud.

According to the 83-page indictment of former Minister Kim obtained by Asia Economy on the 4th, on the 3rd of last month, when President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, former Minister Kim summoned Mr. A, the Personnel Planning Officer of the Ministry of National Defense, to the Combat Control Room and ordered the organization and personnel appointments of the Joint Investigation Headquarters. This organization was planned by former Minister Kim to investigate allegations of election fraud by the National Election Commission.

Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun. Photo by Yonhap News

At this meeting, former Minister Kim handed a document titled “Ministry of National Defense General Order” to the Personnel Planning Officer, stating the intention to “appoint the head, deputy head, and heads of Investigation Divisions 1, 2, and 3 under the 2nd Investigation Division of the Joint Investigation Headquarters, appoint 23 military police officers as investigators in Investigation Division 1, and appoint 20 intelligence agents from the Defense Security Command as investigators in Investigation Divisions 2 and 3,” as specified in the indictment.

Former Minister Kim instructed, “Issue the personnel order as is.” However, the document titled “Ministry of National Defense General Order” included content unrelated to personnel orders, such as vehicle support and handcuff supplies for the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters. In response, Personnel Planning Officer Mr. A reported, “I cannot draft a personnel order with such content.” Former Minister Kim replied, “Understood,” and did not issue the personnel order, resulting in the failure to establish the 2nd Investigation Division of the Joint Investigation Headquarters.

On the 27th of last month, the prosecution indicted former Minister Kim on charges of engaging in important duties during an insurrection and abuse of authority. Former Minister Kim, the first suspect among those involved in the insurrection case to be prosecuted, is scheduled to stand trial at the Seoul Central District Court on the 16th.