Prosecutors Investigate Prime Minister Han Deok-su... Focused Probe on Martial Law Cabinet Meeting

Prime Minister Han Summoned as a Suspect for Closed-Door Investigation on the 21st
Focus on Procedural Issues of the Cabinet Meeting Before Martial Law Declaration

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering an emergency national address on the 26th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Government Office Photographers Group

The Special Investigation Headquarters for Martial Law by the Prosecutors' Office (Head: Senior Prosecutor Park Se-hyun) summoned Prime Minister Han on the 21st for a closed-door investigation as a suspect. The prosecutors appear to have focused their questioning on procedural issues of the Cabinet meeting at that time. After reconstructing the proceedings of the Cabinet meeting held before the martial law declaration, they plan to use it as a reference for future investigations involving President Yoon.

Prime Minister Han attended the Cabinet meeting held on December 3 last year, just before President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law. Attendees at the meeting included Prime Minister Han, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok (currently Acting President), Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol, Minister of Justice Park Seong-jae, Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, and Minister of SMEs and Startups Oh Young-joo. The prosecutors have summoned and investigated the attendees of the Cabinet meeting, including Acting President Choi.

Prime Minister Han has pointed out the illegality of the Cabinet meeting held before the martial law declaration. At an urgent parliamentary inquiry held on the 11th, Prime Minister Han stated, “The Cabinet meeting held on the 3rd before the martial law declaration had procedural and substantive defects.”