The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has notified Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense, of a summons scheduled for May 21.
According to legal sources, the special prosecutor's team informed Kim that he is to appear as a suspect in a rebellion case under military law.
Kim is accused of conspiring with former President Yoon Suk Yeol and others to incite a riot by sending armed soldiers to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission during the declaration of martial law.
Kim's team plans to decide whether he will attend the questioning after internal discussions.
They argue that the special prosecutor's team is attempting to apply different charges to the same case for which Kim is already under indictment and undergoing trial, claiming this constitutes double investigation and prosecution. Former President Yoon is also asserting that this is a double investigation regarding the same charges.
Previously, the special prosecutor's team had summoned Kim on April 29 for questioning related to the rebellion charges.
The police special investigation unit had been questioning Kim regarding perjury related to Yoon's impeachment trial, which overlapped with the special prosecutor's investigation, causing it to be postponed.
On May 6, the special prosecutor attempted to question Kim regarding charges of organizing a criminal group, but Kim's team submitted a notice of non-attendance.
The special prosecutor's team has also notified former President Yoon to appear for questioning on May 23 regarding the rebellion charges, followed by another session on May 26 concerning allegations of abuse of power related to a "justification message for martial law."
Kwak Jong-geun, former commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, was summoned for questioning as a suspect for the first time the previous day.
The special prosecutor's team has charged Yoon, Kim, and former National Intelligence Service Director Noh Sang-won with rebellion. It remains uncertain whether they will be brought to trial on these charges.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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