The second special prosecutor's team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is currently investigating Hong Jang-won, former first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, and Jeon Mu-gon, former chief of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
On June 11, around 10 a.m., the special prosecutors summoned Hong again as a suspect in connection with allegations of involvement in justifying martial law.
Hong is accused of attempting to convey a message justifying the martial law declaration made by former President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3 to U.S. intelligence agencies.
The special prosecutors revealed that during their investigation of National Intelligence Service officials, they discovered evidence indicating that the agency received a request from the National Security Office the morning after the martial law was declared, asking for an explanation of the background to allied countries, along with a document in Korean.
Following this, under the direction of former National Intelligence Service Director Jo Tae-yong, a department responsible for overseas affairs summoned the CIA director in South Korea to provide an explanation aligned with the document's intent. Hong was reportedly briefed on this process and gave his approval, according to the special prosecutor's findings.
The special prosecutors had previously summoned Hong for about nine hours of questioning on May 22. Afterward, Hong stated, "There were facts that could lead to a significant misunderstanding, and I clarified them sufficiently." However, the special prosecutors deemed further investigation necessary, leading to his second summons on June 11.
Hong has denied all allegations, asserting that he never received instructions to convey a message to the CIA. He also contends that applying insurrection charges to a message delivered after the martial law was lifted is unjust.
On the same day, the special prosecutors are also questioning Jeon Mu-gon. As the head of the planning department during the martial law, Jeon assisted former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung. The special prosecutors appear to be verifying the actions of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the day of the martial law and the directives given by Shim.
They plan to investigate whether there were any inappropriate responses from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office during the investigation and trial processes involving former President Yoon and others due to the martial law.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.