The second special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, is pursuing arrest warrants for former Korea Coast Guard Chief Kim Jong-wook and former Planning and Coordination Officer Ahn Seong-sik in connection with allegations of their involvement in the Coast Guard's response to the emergency martial law declared on December 3, 2024. The special prosecutors believe they mobilized the Coast Guard organization and participated in preparations prior to the declaration.
On July 1, the special prosecutors announced they had filed for arrest warrants against Kim and Ahn on charges of conspiracy to commit insurrection and abuse of authority.
Kim and Ahn are accused of convening a video conference with national commanders immediately after the martial law was declared, discussing the deployment of investigative personnel to prepare for the establishment of a joint investigation headquarters under the martial law command. Reports indicate that the deployment of 22 Coast Guard investigators to the joint investigation headquarters was considered, along with discussions about arming personnel for the protection of police stations.
The special prosecutors have also reportedly secured evidence that Ahn instructed officials after a meeting to "clear out and prepare the detention center, as it seems many martial law offenders will be coming in." Ahn is suspected of being involved not only in the response on the day of the martial law declaration but also in the preparatory process leading up to it. The special prosecutors believe Ahn participated in changing internal regulations to ensure that Coast Guard personnel would be automatically integrated into the joint investigation headquarters under the martial law command, communicating with the Military Intelligence Command and exchanging classified documents since 2023.
The Military Intelligence Command's "martial law command organization plan" reportedly includes provisions for deploying Coast Guard personnel to the joint investigation headquarters upon the declaration of martial law. The special prosecutors believe Ahn was involved in promoting related tasks while interacting with the intelligence agency during the revision of this plan.
Following a search of Coast Guard headquarters and the offices of the deputy chief in April, the special prosecutors summoned Ahn as a suspect on June 1 and Kim on June 10 for questioning.
Previously, the insurrection special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok, conducted a search and summoned Ahn for questioning but decided not to prosecute, citing insufficient evidence. However, the comprehensive special prosecutors have resumed their investigation after confirming additional details regarding the executive meeting held shortly after the martial law declaration and the preparatory circumstances, leading to the current request for arrest warrants.
The warrant hearings for Kim and Ahn are expected to take place as early as next week.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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