Examination Scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 23rd
Notification of Witness Examination Date Sent to Former People Power Party Floor Leader Chu Kyungho
The court has accepted the request by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok's team, which is investigating the rebellion case, to summon former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon as a pre-trial witness.
The special prosecutor's office had repeatedly requested Han's appearance for questioning as a reference witness, but he did not comply. As a result, the special prosecutor sought an alternative by asking the court to have him testify as a witness, and the court has granted this request.
According to the legal community on September 12, Judge Jeon Eunjin of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 has approved the special prosecutor's application for a 'preliminary witness examination before the first trial date.'
The court has scheduled the examination for 2 p.m. on September 23 and has sent a subpoena to former leader Han, as well as a notification of the witness examination date to former People Power Party floor leader Chu Kyungho.
If Han fails to comply with the court's subpoena without justifiable reason, he may be compelled to appear. If he receives the subpoena and still does not appear without a valid reason, the court may impose a fine of up to 5 million won.
Previously, on September 10, the special prosecutor's team had requested the court to conduct a pre-trial witness examination in order to secure testimony from Han, who is a reference witness in the rebellion investigation.
The special prosecutor's team believes that former floor leader Chu Kyungho repeatedly changed the location of the party caucus on the day of the emergency martial law, thereby preventing People Power Party lawmakers from participating in the vote to lift martial law.
Accordingly, the special prosecutor's team has reportedly charged Chu with performing key tasks related to the rebellion and abuse of authority, and has designated the People Power Party lawmakers who were unable to participate in the vote to lift martial law as 'victims.'
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