"Witness Summons for Han Donghoon Undelivered 10 Times Due to Absence"
Investigation of Park Sungjae on 'Kim Keonhee Probe Interference Allegations' Concluded
The special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok, which is investigating the alleged obstruction of the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law by Assemblyman Choo Kyungho of the People Power Party, has withdrawn its request to the court for a pretrial witness examination of Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party. The special investigation team has decided to indict Assemblyman Choo without detention in the near future.
Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the 1st anniversary of the December 3rd Martial Law in front of the side gate of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News
On December 5, Judge Jeon Eunjin of the 31st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court scheduled a witness examination for former leader Han, but the examination could not proceed as Han did not appear. Han has failed to attend a total of five scheduled sessions up to this date.
The special investigation team stated, "The witness has not appeared for several scheduled sessions, and given this attitude, we believe it is highly unlikely that the witness will attend and the examination will be held within the special investigation period, which is set to end on December 14. Therefore, we are withdrawing our request for a pretrial witness examination of Han Donghoon."
The team added, "From September 12 to November 11, we attempted to serve a total of 10 witness summonses, but all were undelivered due to the witness's absence and the location being closed. We believe the witness is well aware that the discovery of substantive truth through judicial procedures is the minimum legal process required to prevent a recurrence of constitutional violations like those that occurred a year ago."
The special investigation team is probing allegations that Assemblyman Choo, after the declaration of emergency martial law, received requests from former President Yoon Sukyeol's side and repeatedly changed the location of the party caucus to prevent other lawmakers from participating in the vote to lift martial law. To clarify the situation at the time and determine whether there was any collusion, the team had requested pretrial witness examinations of People Power Party lawmakers Kim Taeho, Kim Yongtae, Kim Heejung, Seo Beomsoo, and former leader Han Donghoon.
At a regular briefing on this day, Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated, "Assemblyman Choo's case is expected to be processed within this week," adding, "We believe sufficient evidence was established at the stage of requesting the warrant." Previously, the special investigation team had requested an arrest warrant for Assemblyman Choo on charges of engaging in important duties related to insurrection, but the court dismissed the request.
The special investigation team also summoned former Minister of Justice Park Sungjae as a suspect the previous day in connection with allegations of interfering with the investigation into Kim Keonhee. Special Prosecutor Park said, "The investigation of former Minister Park was effectively concluded yesterday," and added, "After confirming the remaining facts, an indictment will be made before the investigation deadline of the 14th."
He continued, "For cases that have been reported or filed, we will ensure they are processed swiftly within the remaining period," and added, "Nevertheless, cases that cannot be processed unavoidably will be transferred to the National Office of Investigation." The special investigation team's deadline is December 14.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
