The second comprehensive special prosecutor team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, said it has confirmed indications that the military’s Defense Counterintelligence Command prepared for emergency martial law and is continuing its investigation. The probe has also triggered a dispute with prosecutors over access to records and raised internal management concerns, adding to tensions around the team’s operations.
Assistant Special Prosecutor Kim Ji-mi said at a regular briefing Monday at the team’s office in Gwacheon that questioning of command officials confirmed signs that preparations for martial law began in the first half of 2024. Her remarks suggest the possibility that what an earlier insurrection special prosecutor described as suspected “advance planning” may have progressed into concrete preparations.
The special prosecutor team is also clashing with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office over securing materials related to emergency martial law. The team said the office refused to submit records needed for the investigation and that it asked the Ministry of Justice to discipline the acting prosecutor general and senior officials at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.
The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, however, was reported to argue that the materials are inspection records that are difficult to provide voluntarily and that handing them over without a warrant could violate the law. The dispute highlights differing views on the scope of cooperation in the investigation.
Separately, the special prosecutor team faced criticism after it became known that one of its investigators posted some investigative material and personal reflections on social media. The team said it disciplined the investigator with a one-month pay cut.
The team again stressed the need to follow security rules in social media use but said it has no plans for additional steps such as a full review.
The comprehensive special prosecutor team said it is focusing its efforts on determining how the martial law preparations unfolded and the roles of those involved, and that the nature of the case could become clearer as the investigation proceeds.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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