The Special Prosecutors' Office has indicted several key military figures in connection with allegations of covering up the 'VIP anger' related to the death of Marine Private Cha Soo-geun and the preparation for martial law on December 3.
On August 21, the Special Prosecutors' Office announced that Hwang Yoo-sung, former head of the National Defense Security Command, Moon Yeon-cheol, former head of the Marine Corps Intelligence Unit, and Kim Gye-hwan, former commander of the Marine Corps, have been indicted without detention.
The prosecutors stated, "From around August 15, 2023, they directed the preparation of a surveillance report on former Marine Corps investigation chief Park Jeong-hoon while instructing to cover up the VIP anger and warned the public relations officer not to disclose it. This is the essence of the charges against them."
Additionally, the prosecutors have charged Yeo In-hyung, former head of the National Defense Security Command, and Lee Jin-woo, former commander of the Army's 2nd Operational Command, with abuse of power for allegedly creating a joint investigation team and a 'Guardian TF' for the purpose of illegal martial law.
According to the investigation, Hwang and Moon are accused of illegally intervening in the handling of the Marine's death from late July to August 2023, attempting to block information related to the 'VIP anger' and systematically covering it up.
During this time, the intelligence unit directed the preparation of a surveillance report on Park while engaging in a series of calls with key officials immediately after a meeting with the chief secretary of the presidential office to manage the situation and control information.
Notably, Moon reported to former commander Kim Gye-hwan that "Park knows about the VIP anger and may expose it, so we need to stop him," and pressured Lee Yun-se, the public relations officer, during a meeting at a restaurant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, in August 2023, telling him not to spread "unnecessary talk." Kim is also facing charges related to coercing interviews during this cover-up process.
Furthermore, the prosecutors confirmed evidence that the intelligence and operational commands planned and established a system for martial law prior to the declaration on December 3, leading to the charges against Yeo and Lee for abuse of power.
The prosecutors believe that the intelligence unit finalized the 'Joint Investigation Headquarters Operation Plan' document on February 20, 2024, and that during the U.S.-South Korea joint exercise in March, they concretized preparations for martial law by involving troops from the operational command in the establishment ceremony of the joint investigation headquarters. They also view the memorandum of understanding signed with the National Investigation Headquarters in June as a strategy to facilitate the mobilization of investigative personnel during martial law.
Lee Jin-woo is accused of illegally forming and operating a separate special task force called 'Guardian TF,' deviating from normal military command and anti-terrorism procedures. This shadow organization, centered around the 2nd and 35th Special Operations Battalions, was reportedly deployed to the National Assembly on the night of the martial law declaration under Lee's direct orders.
Additionally, the prosecutors have indicted Kim Dong-hyuk, former head of the Defense Ministry's prosecution office, for creating false documents and other charges. They stated that Kim included four false claims in the arrest warrant application for former investigation chief Park, asserting that the VIP anger was false and delusional.
Having completed the initial investigation into the organized obstruction of justice by military leadership and the illegal preparation for martial law, the Special Prosecutors' Office plans to conclude the investigation on August 24 and transition to a formal prosecution phase.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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