In connection with the investigation into the December 3rd martial law declaration, the Special Prosecutor's Office for Rebellion (내란 특검) has summoned and questioned Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho and former Chief of Presidential Security Park Jong-jun ahead of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's second interrogation, scheduled for tomorrow (the 5th). This follows Yoon's first interrogation on the 28th of last month, and the special prosecution team aims to prove Yoon's alleged abuse of power by investigating all cabinet members. Specifically, Minister Lee was reportedly questioned intensively about his absence from the cabinet meeting during the martial law declaration and his attendance at the meeting for its lifting. Former Chief Park was investigated regarding his alleged obstruction of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials' (CIO) arrest warrant execution for Yoon in January, and the circumstances surrounding the deletion of secure phone information by former First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Hong Jang-won immediately after martial law.
The special prosecution team for rebellion rejected former President Yoon's request to postpone his second summons for health and trial schedule reasons. The team has also begun a full-scale investigation into the alleged obstruction of investigation by Yoon's legal team during the first interrogation on the 28th, hinting at the possibility of coercive measures, such as re-issuing an arrest warrant, if he fails to comply in the future. The investigation team is looking into a wide range of suspicions, including Yoon's alleged instructions to obstruct his arrest, delete secure phone records, and obstruct foreign exchange and National Assembly resolutions. The investigation also covers whether there were plans for media control and large-scale arrests, similar to the May 17th martial law declaration in the past.
Special Prosecutor for Marine Corps Case to Investigate 'VIP Outrage Theory' Next Week
Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor's Office for the Marine Corps Corporal Chae's Death Investigation (채상병 특검), which is probing allegations of external pressure in the case of the late Corporal Chae, will begin its full-scale investigation into the 'VIP Outrage Theory' next week. The special prosecution team plans to summon former Marine Corps Commandant Kim Kye-hwan at 10:30 AM on the 7th to intensively investigate whether he received instructions from former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup and the Presidential Office. The 'VIP Outrage Theory' concerns allegations that former President Yoon became enraged after being briefed on Corporal Chae's case and ordered the removal of former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Sung-geun from the list of suspects. The special prosecution team plans to summon relevant individuals, including those who attended the Presidential Office meeting on July 31, 2023. Exit bans have already been imposed on key suspects, including former Legal Affairs Officer Yoo Jae-eun and former Acting Head of the Investigation Division Park Kyung-hoon.
Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Intensifies Investigation with Raids and Interrogations
The Special Prosecutor's Office for Kim Keon-hee's Allegations (김건희 특검), which is investigating suspicions related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee, carried out extensive search and seizure operations at 13 locations, including Sambu Construction's headquarters and the residences of current and former executives, on the 3rd, in connection with the Sambu Construction stock manipulation allegations. Today, the special prosecution team is accelerating its investigation by summoning Sambu Construction officials for questioning. This marks the first coercive investigation since the special prosecution team was launched, and it has left open the possibility of an early summons for Ms. Kim. The scope of the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor's investigation includes a total of 16 allegations, such as the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation, bribery in connection with Kovana Contents sponsorships, luxury gift receipts, undue involvement in contracts related to the relocation of the presidential office and residence, and suspicions of Geonjinbeopsa's involvement in state affairs.
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