The Ministry of National Defense’s Special Investigation Headquarters will investigate not only cases transferred from Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok’s team (the Special Prosecutor for Insurrection), which is soon concluding its probe into the December 3 Martial Law-related insurrection and treason charges, but also cases it has identified independently.
At a regular briefing, Jeong Bitna, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, stated, "The Special Investigation Headquarters will thoroughly review not only cases transferred from the special prosecutor but also those it has recognized on its own initiative." She added, "In particular, due to the confidential nature of certain cases, we plan to directly investigate units such as the Defense Intelligence Command, where a detailed investigation is deemed necessary."
Regarding this, Spokesperson Jeong said, "There are many unresolved questions, such as the reported plans to induce confessions using drugs, but much of this has yet to be substantiated." She emphasized, "We will prioritize examining these matters."
Additionally, the Ministry of National Defense’s Constitutional Respect and Government Innovation Task Force (TF) has organized the reports received over the past three weeks as key tasks and began investigations as of the previous day. Spokesperson Jeong explained, "This investigation also includes issues related to the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, such as suspicions about the preparation of detention facilities for untried prisoners in the Seoul metropolitan area during the illegal martial law period and the alleged compilation of a list of investigators by the Defense Security Command."
Furthermore, in connection with suspicions raised against the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, Park Junghoon, acting deputy director (Colonel) of the Investigation Headquarters, suspended 16 individuals from their duties as of today and separated them from their positions so they can be investigated by the Constitutional Respect TF.
The Ministry of National Defense Prosecutors’ Office plans to indict Moon Sangho, former commander of the Defense Intelligence Command, on charges of leaking military secrets under the Military Criminal Act for disclosing information about the special forces’ budget and missions. Spokesperson Jeong stated, "The defendant is currently under arrest and indicted by the military court for involvement in major insurrection-related duties. Since the detention period is set to expire on the 4th of next month, the military prosecutors will submit an opinion to the military court urging the issuance of a detention warrant ex officio."
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