Special Prosecutor for Insurrection: "Situation Has Changed Since Han Ducksoo's Impeachment Dismissal"

"Additional Evidence Collected...
Need to Clarify Circumstances of Cabinet Meeting Before Martial Law Declaration"
Former Presidential Advisor Jang Hojin Questioned as Witness
in 'Pyongyang UAV Deployment Operation' Investigation

Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who is accused of participating in and abetting the emergency martial law incident on December 3, is appearing before the Special Prosecutor's Office for Internal Affairs led by Cho Eunseok, set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Special Prosecutor's Office for Internal Affairs (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok), which is investigating allegations related to the drafting and disposal of the post-emergency martial law proclamation, announced that "additional evidence has been collected" regarding the Constitutional Court's determination that former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo was not actively involved in the declaration of martial law. The office stated that the situation has changed since the Constitutional Court made its decision.

On the 19th, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung said at a regular briefing, "When the Constitutional Court reviewed the case, evidence had not yet been collected, and the lack of objective evidence led to a finding of no charges. Since the Constitutional Court's decision, the special prosecutor's investigation has commenced, and additional evidence has been gathered in many areas, including related documents, so further review is necessary."

Previously, in March, the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment motion against former Prime Minister Han, ruling that the National Assembly's charges that Han conspired with or abetted former President Yoon Sukyeol's declaration of martial law could not be substantiated. The Constitutional Court stated that there was no objective evidence showing that Han was aware of the plan to declare martial law before being informed of it approximately two hours prior to the declaration.

The special prosecutor's team is expected to investigate the circumstances under which the cabinet meeting was convened before the declaration of martial law to determine whether former Prime Minister Han can be considered an accomplice to insurrection.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Park said, "In light of the Constitutional Court's precedent, I believe the most important question is why the recommendation to convene the cabinet meeting was made."

The special prosecutor's team began questioning former Prime Minister Han as a suspect from the morning of the 19th. It has been reported that Han is not exercising his right to remain silent.

Additionally, on the same day, the special prosecutor's team summoned former Presidential Advisor for Foreign Affairs and National Security Jang Hojin as a witness to investigate the Army Drone Operations Command's "Pyongyang UAV deployment operation."

It is reported that during recent questioning of officials from the drone operations unit, the special prosecutor's team obtained testimony that the "V (President) Report," which contains details of the UAV operation, was believed to have been submitted to the President through the National Security Office.