Ahn Dukgeun and Yoo Sangim Among Cabinet Members Summoned Over Martial Law
Special Prosecutor to Question Former President Yoon for Second Time on July 5
Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo returned home after being questioned for approximately 13 hours and 40 minutes by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok’s team, which is investigating the 12·3 Martial Law incident related to rebellion and treason.
On July 2, Han appeared for questioning by the special investigation team on rebellion at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office at 10:00 a.m. and left the building at approximately 11:42 p.m.
After the investigation, Han did not respond to questions such as "Why did you sign and then destroy the post-martial law document?" and "Did you discuss this with former President Yoon?"
Han is suspected of aiding and participating in securing procedural legitimacy for the illegal martial law. Han reportedly signed a document drafted by former Presidential Secretary Kang Uigu after martial law was declared, but a few days later requested, "If it becomes known that a post-facto document was created, it could cause further controversy, so let’s pretend it never happened." As a result, the document was destroyed.
The special prosecutor’s team reportedly identified circumstances in which, after the declaration of martial law, Han questioned the legality of martial law and the need for its termination, including asking, "Is it okay that no cabinet members supported martial law?" The team is examining whether these circumstances constitute criminal charges.
On the same day, the special prosecutor summoned Ahn Dukgeun, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, at 10:00 a.m., and Yoo Sangim, Minister of Science and ICT, at 3:30 p.m. Neither Ahn nor Yoo attended the cabinet meeting held before martial law was declared, but both attended the meeting to lift martial law. The special prosecutor’s team questioned them about whether they were contacted to attend the cabinet meeting and the reasons for their absence.
Kim Junghwan, former Presidential Aide-de-camp, was also summoned and questioned. Kim was the official who notified cabinet members to attend the cabinet meeting at the time.
Based on the investigation, the special prosecutor’s team will review whether charges of participating in, aiding, or condoning the illegal martial law can be applied to cabinet members.
As the second round of questioning for former President Yoon is scheduled for July 5, a series of additional cabinet member summons is expected between July 3 and 4.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
