Special Prosecutor's Team Suggests Possibility That Former Floor Leader Chu Kyungho Was Aware of Martial Law Discussions in Advance
Clarification Needed on Involvement of Ruling Party Lawmakers at the Time
On the 3rd, at the National Assembly, special investigator Jo Eunseok and his team investigating the 'alleged obstruction of the martial law lifting vote' attempted to conduct a search and seizure at the floor leader's office of the People Power Party. Lawmakers from the People Power Party who were staging a sit-in protest blocked them in opposition.
The special prosecutor's team for the insurrection case, led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok, announced that discussions regarding martial law have been ongoing since March of last year. The special prosecutor's team does not rule out the possibility that former People Power Party floor leader Chu Kyungho may have been aware of these discussions during that period.
On the 3rd, Special Prosecutor Park Jiyeong stated during a briefing, "As the case related to insurrection progressed, discussions about martial law and related matters have been taking place since March 2024," adding, "We cannot rule out the possibility that former floor leader Chu may have been aware, and all possibilities remain open at this stage."
She continued, "Of course, it is highly likely that he first learned about the declaration of martial law on the day it was announced," but added, "While I do not believe that the then-ruling party's floor leader, who was a member of the National Assembly, was involved, it is still necessary to clarify the facts regarding this matter."
The special prosecutor's team continued on this day, as well as the previous day, to attempt to execute search and seizure warrants on the People Power Party floor leader's office and the administrative bureau in connection with suspicions of obstructing the vote to lift martial law. The period subject to the search and seizure covers from May 9 of last year, when former floor leader Chu was elected, up to the day before the warrant was executed. In response to the compulsory investigation through the search and seizure warrant, People Power Party lawmakers held an emergency general meeting in front of the floor leader's office and staged a sit-in protest.
Special Prosecutor Park stated, "Since the warrant was lawfully issued by a judge, I trust that there will be active cooperation to ensure its execution," and added, "As representatives and servants of the people, I believe the lawmakers will make wise decisions."
Regarding claims that the seizure of a People Power Party office staff member's mobile phone was conducted illegally, she explained, "The search and seizure was carried out in accordance with criminal procedure law," and added, "The administrative bureau staff subject to the search and seizure consisted of five people. In all cases, the warrant was presented at the time of execution, and the process was photographed."
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