"Further Questioning Unavoidable... 60-70% of Investigation Completed"
Han Agrees to Late-Night Questioning Without Exercising Right to Remain Silent
Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, summoned as a suspect, is leaving the Special Prosecutor's Office for Internal Insurrection set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News
The Special Prosecutor's Office for Internal Insurrection (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunsuk) has decided to summon former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo for additional questioning regarding suspicions surrounding the drafting and destruction of the post-martial law declaration, among other issues. After completing this round of questioning, the special prosecutor's team will decide whether to request an arrest warrant for Han.
On August 20, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated in a briefing, "We have requested former Prime Minister Han to appear for additional questioning at 9:30 a.m. on the 22nd," adding, "As the investigation is not yet complete, further questioning is unavoidable. Currently, about 60 to 70 percent of the investigation has been conducted."
The special prosecutor's team summoned Han the previous day as a suspect and questioned him for over 16 hours, focusing on the circumstances of the Cabinet meetings before and after the declaration of martial law, as well as the process of drafting the post-martial law declaration. It is reported that Han actively gave statements without invoking his right to remain silent, even during late-night questioning.
The special prosecutor's team stated that "additional evidence has been collected" regarding the Constitutional Court's previous judgment that Han was not actively involved in the declaration of martial law. They emphasized that the situation has changed since the Constitutional Court's decision was made.
A member of the special prosecutor's team explained, "When the Constitutional Court judged the case, evidence had not yet been collected, and the decision of no charges was based on the lack of objective evidence. The special prosecutor's investigation began after the Constitutional Court's decision, and since then, additional evidence and related materials have been collected, so further review is necessary."
Previously, in March, the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment motion against Han, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to support the National Assembly's claim that Han had colluded with or condoned former President Yoon Sukyeol's declaration of martial law. The court stated that there was no objective evidence that Han had been aware of the plan for martial law before Yoon decided to declare it, only learning of the plan about two hours before the declaration.
Han is suspected of aiding and participating in securing procedural legitimacy for the illegal martial law. Han signed a document prepared by former Presidential Secretary Kang Uigu after the declaration of martial law, but a few days later, he reportedly requested that "if it becomes known that a post-event document was created, it could spark further controversy, so let's pretend it never happened," leading to the document's destruction.
The special prosecutor's team is also investigating evidence that Han questioned the legitimacy and necessity of the martial law, such as asking, "Is it alright that none of the Cabinet members supported the martial law?" after the declaration was made.
In addition, Han faces charges of perjury for allegedly testifying falsely before the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly that he was unaware of the martial law declaration. In February, Han testified before the National Assembly that "I was not aware of the martial law declaration at all until the Cabinet meeting to lift it, and only later found it in the back pocket of my suit." However, the special prosecutor's team has obtained presidential office CCTV footage showing Han reviewing martial law documents.
The special prosecutor's team has also secured records of a phone call between former People Power Party floor leader Chu Kyungho and Han immediately after the declaration of martial law. On December 3 of last year, at 11:12 p.m., Chu and Han spoke for more than seven minutes, during which Han reportedly told Chu, "All Cabinet members opposed it, but President Yoon Sukyeol pushed ahead with the declaration of martial law." The special prosecutor's team presented this information to Assemblyman Cho Kyungtae during questioning.
Previously, on July 24, the special prosecutor's team conducted searches and seizures at three locations, including Han's residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The search of Han's home lasted about six hours. The official residence in Samcheong-dong and the home of former Secretary Kang were also included in the search. Han had previously appeared before the special prosecutor's team for extended questioning on July 2.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
