National Investigation Special Committee Visits Detention Center, but Witnesses Fail to Attend
"Requested Cooperation Through Correctional Officers, Refused Until the End"
The National Assembly's "Special Committee on the National Investigation into the Alleged Insurrection Charges through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration (Special Committee)" visited Seoul Detention Center on the 5th to hold an on-site hearing, but it was canceled as President Yoon Suk-yeol refused to attend.
Members of the Special Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Basic Income Party stated in a press release that afternoon, "The Special Committee members waited for a long time at the detention center, and through correctional officers, they inquired about the willingness of the witnesses and requested their cooperation for the on-site investigation," adding, "We proposed a location change for a small number of people, but they refused until the end."
They further said, "Not appearing at the national investigation and consistently showing an uncooperative attitude is a clear act of obstructing the truth-finding process," and expressed "deep regret toward Yoon Suk-yeol and his followers who have thrown away even the minimum conscience and sense of responsibility."
At Seoul Detention Center, President Yoon, former Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won, and former Military Police Chief of the 3rd Field Army Kim Yong-gun are incarcerated. The Special Committee visited the detention center directly after these individuals, who were summoned as witnesses for the first and second hearings, failed to appear.
Earlier, the Special Committee also visited Seoul Eastern Detention Center, where former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun is imprisoned, to hold a hearing, but it was canceled as Kim refused to attend. Kim cited preparation for trial and meetings with his legal counsel as reasons for his refusal.
Chairman Ahn Kyu-baek of the Special Committee expressed, "It is deeply regrettable as the chairman that the witnesses who should have appeared at the on-site investigation to fully disclose the truth about martial law and apologize did not attend and showed an uncooperative attitude," adding, "We discussed follow-up measures such as filing complaints against the witnesses who did not attend today and future schedules with the members, but we will take considerate actions."
He also stated, "Regarding witnesses who refuse to comply with summons and do not appear, we plan to file complaints for contempt of the National Assembly and non-attendance at the next plenary session through consultation with the secretaries."
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Seon-won pointed out, "Yesterday, at the Constitutional Court, Yoon Suk-yeol, the respondent, showed the entire nation that he has much to say and many claims to make," adding, "Therefore, there is no reason for him not to appear before the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Truth Investigation, which is even more important than the Constitutional Court."
Democratic Party floor spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung criticized in a written briefing, "Former Minister Kim already refused to attend the Special Committee hearing using 'meetings with legal counsel' as an excuse, despite other insurrection-related detainees already appearing before the National Assembly and testifying."
Spokesperson Kang also pointed out, "Yoon Suk-yeol, the leader of the insurrection and a junior from the same school, conducts family visits and meets with his legal team daily but thoroughly ignores the National Assembly’s demand for truth investigation," and asked, "Is this a group united by constitutional destruction, contempt for the National Assembly, and legal manipulation called the Chung-Ampa?"
No members of the People Power Party attended the on-site hearing that day.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
