The special prosecutor team led by Jo Eunseok, which is investigating allegations of rebellion and treason related to the December 12-3 emergency martial law, has requested an arrest warrant for Cho Taeyong, former Director of the National Intelligence Service.
Cho Taeyong, former National Intelligence Service chief, suspected of involvement in the overall situation before and after the December 12-3 emergency martial law, is appearing as a suspect on the 15th at the office of Special Prosecutor Jo Eunseok's team for the rebellion case, set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
At a regular briefing on the 7th, Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated, "We have requested an arrest warrant for former Director Cho on charges including violation of the National Intelligence Service Act's prohibition on political involvement, dereliction of duty, perjury, destruction of evidence, creation and use of false official documents, and violation of the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly." Park added, "Given the status and duties of the Director of the National Intelligence Service, the matter is serious, and there are concerns about the destruction of evidence."
Former Director Cho is accused of failing to report to the National Assembly and neglecting his duties despite being aware of the plan to declare martial law before former President Yoon Sukyeol's public address. According to Article 15 of the National Intelligence Service Act, the Director must promptly report to the President and the National Assembly Intelligence Committee if a situation arises that significantly affects national security.
The special prosecutor team also determined that former Director Cho committed dereliction of duty by not reporting to the National Assembly after receiving a report from former First Deputy Director Hong Jangwon, following the declaration of martial law, that the martial law forces were "looking for Lee Jaemyung and Han Donghun."
Special Prosecutor Park stated, "As the head of an agency that collects information directly related to national stability, the Director of the National Intelligence Service is required to maintain a high level of political neutrality," adding, "Collecting and compiling information related to rebellion and treason is also part of the Director's responsibilities." Park continued, "How quickly the Director distributes and delivers the information collected can affect the entire national response system," emphasizing, "The role and responsibility of the Director in a crisis situation are therefore very significant."
Former Director Cho is also accused of violating the National Intelligence Service Act's explicit prohibition on political involvement by providing NIS CCTV footage showing the movements of former Deputy Director Hong only to the People Power Party, while withholding footage of his own movements from the Democratic Party of Korea.
Former Director Cho is further accused of perjury for testifying as a witness before the National Assembly and the Constitutional Court that former President Yoon did not mention "extraordinary measures" during the "Samcheong-dong safe house meeting" in March last year.
The court's substantive examination of the arrest warrant for former Director Cho is expected to take place early next week. The special prosecutor team recently extended the investigation period for the final time, allowing the investigation to continue until December 14.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
