Suspicions of Orders to Cut Off Power and Water to Specific Media Outlets
Accused of False Testimony During Constitutional Court Impeachment Trial
Former Minister Lee: "I Never Attempted to Implement Power or Water Cutoffs"
Former Minister of the Interior and Safety Sangmin Lee is heading to the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the Special Investigation Team's office has been set up, on the 25th to undergo investigation by the Special Investigation Team on the internal rebellion case. Photo by Yonhap News
Former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin, who is under suspicion for involvement and complicity in the imposition of martial law, appeared before the special prosecutor (Special Prosecutor Cho Eunsuk) on July 25, 2025, to be questioned.
At approximately 9:56 a.m. that day, Lee arrived at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where the special prosecutor's team is based. He did not respond to reporters' questions, such as "Do you still deny ordering power and water cutoffs?" and proceeded directly to the interrogation room.
Lee is accused of receiving orders from former President Yoon Sukyeol to cut off electricity and water to a specific media outlet around the time of the 12·3 Martial Law Declaration, and of calling Fire Commissioner Heo Seokgon to instruct him, "If the police request cooperation for power or water cutoffs, take action accordingly."
The special prosecutor's team is examining whether Lee can be considered an "accomplice" who assisted former President Yoon in imposing martial law. However, Lee maintains that he never attempted to carry out any power or water cutoff measures and that he never received such orders from former President Yoon.
Additionally, Lee is accused of giving false testimony during the Constitutional Court impeachment trial. On February 11, during the impeachment proceedings against former President Yoon, Lee testified that he had never received instructions from Yoon to cut off electricity or water.
However, the special prosecutor's team has obtained presidential office CCTV footage that appears to show Lee holding a document suspected to contain instructions for power and water cutoffs while conversing with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo.
The special prosecutor's team plans to question Lee regarding the allegations raised against him and will decide whether to summon him for further questioning based on the investigation's findings.
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