Special Prosecutor Requests Arrest Warrant for Former Justice Minister Park Sungjae on Major Insurrection Charges (Comprehensive)

The special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok, which is investigating allegations of insurrection and treason related to the December 3 Martial Law, announced on the 9th that it had requested an arrest warrant for former Minister of Justice Park Sungjae on charges of participating in key insurrection operations and abuse of authority by obstructing the exercise of rights.

Former Minister of Justice Sungjae Park attending a plenary session of the National Assembly during his tenure as minister. 2025.04.16 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Former Minister Park is accused of failing to prevent and acquiescing to the illegal declaration of martial law by former President Yoon Sukyeol. On the day martial law was declared, Park was one of the closest aides whom former President Yoon called first to inform of his plans. Immediately after the declaration, Park returned to the Ministry of Justice and convened a meeting of senior officials. It has been alleged that during this meeting, which was attended by 10 directors and bureau chiefs of the Ministry of Justice, Park instructed the Prosecutors’ Office to "consider dispatching prosecutors to the Joint Investigation Headquarters."

Additionally, Park is suspected of having directed the Correctional Headquarters and the Immigration Headquarters to secure detention space at detention centers and to have staff on standby for exit bans, respectively, following the declaration of martial law on December 3 last year.

Previously, on the 24th of last month, Park appeared before the special prosecutor and underwent an intensive investigation for about 13 hours, during which he reportedly denied all charges.

If the arrest warrant is issued, the investigation into other key figures, including former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Taeyong, is expected to accelerate. Conversely, if the warrant is dismissed, there are concerns that the overall 'insurrection investigation' will inevitably face setbacks. As Park is considered a suspect who has not been detained, the court's pre-arrest interrogation (substantive warrant review) is expected to take place early next week.