Special Prosecutor on Rebellion Case: "Testimony Obtained from Kim's Close Aides... No Evidence of Kim's Involvement in Martial Law"
Administrative Officer and Plastic Surgeon Who Assisted Kim on Martial Law Day Summoned for Investigation
Kim Gunhee, who was arrested and indicted on charges including stock manipulation of Deutsche Motors, interference in candidate nomination by Myung Taekyun, and allegations of solicitation and bribery involving the Unification Church, is attending the sentencing trial for violation of the Capital Markets Act held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on December 3, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
The special prosecutor's team led by Cho Eunseok, which has been investigating the rebellion and treason cases related to the December 3 Martial Law Incident, announced that it had obtained testimony stating that former President Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Gunhee had a severe argument at the time martial law was declared.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated at the final investigation briefing on December 15, "There was testimony that when martial law was declared, Mrs. Kim and former President Yoon had a serious fight, with the gist being 'You ruined everything.' According to a person who closely assisted Mrs. Kim, she had many thoughts, but with the declaration of martial law, she felt 'everything was ruined' and 'all was destroyed,' indicating that Mrs. Kim was furious about the declaration."
Based on this testimony and Mrs. Kim's actions on the day martial law was declared, the special prosecutor's team concluded that former President Yoon did not conspire with Mrs. Kim to declare martial law. Regarding suspicions about the relationship between former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sangwon and Mrs. Kim, the team stated, "No circumstances or evidence were found indicating that the two had met."
Additionally, concerning any connection with the shaman known as 'Cheongong,' the team said, "There was no evidence in former President Yoon's call records or elsewhere indicating that he discussed martial law with Cheongong."
To verify suspicions that Mrs. Kim was involved in the martial law declaration, the special prosecutor's team investigated the administrative officer who assisted her on the day martial law was declared, as well as the plastic surgeon she visited that day, to confirm her whereabouts.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park added, "We also questioned all the military personnel who attended gatherings at the official residence between August and November last year, but found no evidence that Mrs. Kim attended these gatherings or was involved in the martial law declaration."
He continued, "Based on messages from Telegram and other sources, there are suspicions that Mrs. Kim was significantly involved in state affairs, and the special prosecutor's team kept these suspicions in mind during the investigation. However, we could not determine her actions on the day martial law was declared, and there is no evidence or testimony proving her involvement."
However, the special prosecutor's team believes that Mrs. Kim's judicial risks, such as the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations, may have had some influence on former President Yoon's decision to declare martial law.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park explained, "The motive and purpose of declaring martial law were the monopoly and maintenance of power. The risks involving Myung Taekyun and the investigation into Mrs. Kim's luxury handbags were not direct causes, but I think they may have been considered to some extent when deciding the timing of the declaration. However, they were not the main purpose or underlying factor for the declaration."
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