Special Prosecutor Suspends Attorney's Participation
Citing "Leaking of Investigation and Military Secrets"
Kim Yongdae's Side Protests, Plans Immediate Appeal and Constitutional Complaint
Kim Yongdae, the drone operations commander suspected of involvement in the infiltration of a drone into Pyongyang, is appearing as a suspect on the 20th at the Special Investigation Office for Internal Rebellion set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dongju
Regarding the suspicion of obstructing the lifting of martial law, Assemblyman Kim Seonghoe of the Democratic Party of Korea appeared before the special investigation team for internal rebellion (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok) on the 20th.
Upon arriving at the special investigation team that day, Assemblyman Kim stated, "Those involved with the People Power Party must appear before the special prosecutor and cooperate faithfully with the investigation, whether as witnesses or suspects. The claim that the special prosecutor fabricates crimes where there are none is highly problematic."
He added, "On December 3, the day martial law was declared, I plan to explain to the special prosecutor, without omission or exaggeration, the process I witnessed-from entering the National Assembly grounds by climbing over the wall to the proceedings leading up to the vote."
The special investigation team summoned Assemblyman Kim as a witness and began questioning him from 2 p.m. that day.
Assemblyman Kim attended the vote on the resolution demanding the lifting of emergency martial law and cast a vote in favor. At the time, he also posted messages in the Democratic Party group chat regarding whether entry to the National Assembly was possible and that Yeongdeungpo Police Station had not received any contact from the National Assembly Guard.
The special investigation team appears to be confirming with Assemblyman Kim how the police prevented lawmakers and their aides from entering the National Assembly during martial law.
Additionally, the special investigation team suspended the participation of Kim Yongdae, the drone operations commander's attorney, citing the leaking of investigation details and military secrets. Commander Kim appeared before the special investigation team that day to be questioned as a suspect, but left without being questioned after being notified that his attorney's participation would be restricted.
Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated, "It has been confirmed that Kim Yongdae's attorney leaked the content of the interrogation and classified military materials presented during the investigation process to external parties."
She continued, "It is a serious issue for an attorney to disclose and leak confidential information obtained during the investigation process to the outside under the pretext of making a public statement to the media. This could also influence the statements of accomplices and raises concerns about the destruction of evidence."
In response, Commander Kim's side protested the special investigation team's action as an 'abuse of investigative authority' and announced plans to file an immediate appeal and a constitutional complaint to challenge the decision.
Kim's attorney commented, "Since this case involved a request for an arrest warrant, ensuring the suspect's right to defense is extremely important. I question whether suspending the attorney's participation in the investigation is in accordance with due process and whether it constitutes an abuse of investigative authority."
He added, "We intend to seek judgments from the court and the Constitutional Court on this matter. We will file an immediate appeal against the suspension of attorney participation and also submit a constitutional complaint."
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