The second Comprehensive Special Investigation Team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, summoned former Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-geun on May 14 as a suspect in connection with the state of emergency declared on December 3. This marks the first time the special prosecutor has summoned Kwak as a suspect.
The special prosecutor's team is currently investigating Kwak regarding charges of rebellion under the Military Criminal Act, having called him in for questioning at 2 p.m. On March 3, Kwak appeared before the Comprehensive Special Investigation as a witness.
Kwak is accused of sending subordinate soldiers to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission to incite riots during the declaration of the state of emergency.
The special prosecutor has also implicated former President Yoon Suk Yeol, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and former Director of the Defense Intelligence Command Noh Sang-won in rebellion charges. This is interpreted as the special prosecutor's view that deploying military personnel to state institutions such as the National Assembly constitutes rebellion against the state.
However, it remains uncertain whether the special prosecutor can bring these charges to trial.
Previously, the Prosecutor's Special Investigation Unit had considered applying rebellion charges against former President Yoon but ultimately decided against it, citing difficulties in prosecution. It was reported that the rationale was that 'it is difficult to apply rebellion charges since the incident involved Yoon, the military commander, as the leader of the insurrection.'
Both Yoon and Kim have refused to comply with the special prosecutor's summons, arguing that it constitutes a double investigation of the same case for which they are already facing insurrection charges.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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