Kim Tae-hyo, former first deputy director of the National Security Office, appeared in court on July 10 for a detention hearing related to allegations of sending messages to persuade allied nations, including the United States, of the legitimacy of the December 3 martial law.
The chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court began the pre-detention hearing at 10 a.m. for Kim, who faces charges of engaging in insurrection-related duties and abuse of power. A decision on his detention is expected as early as late afternoon.
Before the hearing, Kwon Young-bin, deputy special prosecutor of the second special investigation team, explained, "We requested the warrant because we believe Kim's actions regarding the National Security Office, which had not been investigated in relation to the December 3 insurrection, are very serious."
He added, "The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the act of issuing a government statement regarding the martial law was wrong, and it is clear that Kim's actions were also incorrect."
When asked by reporters whether he acknowledged sending messages to allied nations, whether he directed the transmission of messages after the martial law was lifted, and whether he acted on instructions from former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim only replied, "I will discuss it next time" as he entered the courtroom.
The special investigation team suspects that Kim directed officials from the National Security Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send messages justifying the martial law to allied nations, including the United States, shortly after its declaration. They are also looking into allegations that he instructed officials to engage in unconstitutional and illegal actions to justify the martial law.
According to the special investigation team, the messages included statements such as, "This action is to protect liberal democracy," "The National Assembly attempted to paralyze the executive branch through impeachment and budget cuts, aiming to fundamentally destroy the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea," and "President Yoon Suk Yeol maintains a stance against pro-North Korean leftists and anti-Americanism."
Earlier, the special investigation team launched a forced investigation into Kim's residence and university research office in April, and in May, they summoned him as a suspect for questioning at their office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Subsequently, on July 7, they requested a detention warrant for Kim.
The chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court began the pre-detention hearing at 10 a.m. for Kim, who faces charges of engaging in insurrection-related duties and abuse of power. A decision on his detention is expected as early as late afternoon.
Before the hearing, Kwon Young-bin, deputy special prosecutor of the second special investigation team, explained, "We requested the warrant because we believe Kim's actions regarding the National Security Office, which had not been investigated in relation to the December 3 insurrection, are very serious."
He added, "The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the act of issuing a government statement regarding the martial law was wrong, and it is clear that Kim's actions were also incorrect."
When asked by reporters whether he acknowledged sending messages to allied nations, whether he directed the transmission of messages after the martial law was lifted, and whether he acted on instructions from former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim only replied, "I will discuss it next time" as he entered the courtroom.
The special investigation team suspects that Kim directed officials from the National Security Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send messages justifying the martial law to allied nations, including the United States, shortly after its declaration. They are also looking into allegations that he instructed officials to engage in unconstitutional and illegal actions to justify the martial law.
According to the special investigation team, the messages included statements such as, "This action is to protect liberal democracy," "The National Assembly attempted to paralyze the executive branch through impeachment and budget cuts, aiming to fundamentally destroy the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea," and "President Yoon Suk Yeol maintains a stance against pro-North Korean leftists and anti-Americanism."
Earlier, the special investigation team launched a forced investigation into Kim's residence and university research office in April, and in May, they summoned him as a suspect for questioning at their office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. Subsequently, on July 7, they requested a detention warrant for Kim.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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