Special Prosecutor Plans to Summon Former Prime Minister Han Again
Former Interior Minister Lee Sangmin to Be Questioned as Suspect on the 25th
The special investigation team led by Eunseok Cho, investigating the domestic and foreign rebellion cases related to the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law,' is seen carrying seized items after completing a search of the former Prime Minister Duksoo Han's residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News
The special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating cases related to the 12·3 Martial Law Emergency and incidents of insurrection and treason, has conducted a search and seizure at the residence of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo.
On the morning of the 24th, the special prosecutor’s team sent prosecutors and investigators to three locations, including Han’s residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to carry out search and seizure operations. The search at Han’s home lasted for approximately six hours. The targets also included the Samcheong-dong Prime Minister's official residence and the home of Kang Uigu, former Presidential Office Secretary. Previously, on July 2, Han appeared before the special prosecutor’s team and was questioned for an extended period.
Han is suspected of aiding and participating in securing procedural legitimacy for the illegal martial law. He reportedly signed a document prepared by Kang after the declaration of martial law, but a few days later requested, "If it becomes known that a post-facto document was created, it could spark another controversy, so let’s pretend it never happened." As a result, the document was reportedly destroyed.
The special prosecutor’s team has also uncovered circumstances in which Han questioned the legality of the martial law and the need for its lifting, such as asking after the declaration, "Is it alright that there were no cabinet members who supported the martial law?" The investigation into these matters is ongoing.
Additionally, Han is accused of perjury for testifying before the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly that he was unaware of the martial law proclamation. In February, Han testified in the National Assembly that "I was not aware of the martial law proclamation until the cabinet meeting to lift it, and later found it in the back pocket of my suit." However, the special prosecutor’s team has obtained CCTV footage from the Presidential Office showing Han reviewing martial law documents.
Once the analysis of the seized materials is complete, the special prosecutor’s team plans to summon Han again for questioning as a suspect on charges including participation in major insurrection-related duties.
Furthermore, the special prosecutor’s team will summon Lee Sangmin, former Minister of the Interior and Safety, for questioning on the 25th. Lee is accused of receiving instructions from former President Yoon Sukyeol around the time of the 12·3 Martial Law Emergency to order power and water supply cuts to a specific media outlet, and then calling Fire Commissioner Heo Seokgon to instruct, "If the police request cooperation for power or water supply cuts, take action."
However, Lee maintains that he never attempted to implement such measures and never received such instructions from former President Yoon.
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