Former Prime Minister Han Under Forced Investigation, Will He Stand Trial with Former Presidential Couple?

[Financial News] The Special Investigation Team for Rebellion and Foreign Affairs (Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok) has launched a forced investigation into former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo on the 24th. This increases the likelihood of an unprecedented situation where a former presidential couple and a prime minister will all stand trial. Given the broad scope of the special prosecutor's investigation, the number of cabinet members to be indicted may increase. 
The special prosecutor's team conducted a search and seizure at the residence of former Prime Minister Han and the official residence of the prime minister, as well as the residence of Kang Yi-gu, the former chief secretary of the presidential office, to verify what role they played in the cabinet meeting held before and after the declaration of martial law by former President Yoon Seok-yeol. Former Prime Minister Han is suspected of having participated in or at least abetted the illegal declaration of martial law by former President Yoon. 
As one of the top national leaders at the time, the special prosecutor's team believes that he did not actively prevent the declaration of martial law and instead attempted to give it procedural legitimacy.
Former Prime Minister Han is also accused of being an accomplice in drafting and discarding a post-martial law declaration to correct legal defects in the initial declaration by former President Yoon.
Furthermore, he is accused of perjury in the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly by claiming he was unaware of the martial law declaration. However, the special prosecutor's team confirmed footage from the presidential office's closed-circuit (CC) TV showing former Prime Minister Han reviewing the martial law documents.
The special prosecutor's team plans to summon former Prime Minister Han again as a suspect for engaging in important duties related to rebellion once the analysis of the seized materials is completed. This will be 22 days after the first investigation conducted on the 2nd. Former Prime Minister Han has also been subjected to a travel ban.
The legality of the cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration has already been addressed by the prosecution, police, and the High-ranking Public Officials Crime Investigation Office (CIO), and given the numerous testimonies and statements made in the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, and the courts, there is a possibility that the special prosecutor's team will soon proceed with securing the custody of former Prime Minister Han.
Former Prime Minister Han's statement that he was unaware of the martial law declaration could be presented as grounds for evidence destruction in the arrest warrant. Additionally, the travel ban imposed suggests that the investigative authorities believe there is a risk of flight by former Prime Minister Han.
The situation where the country is embroiled in chaos due to martial law and the public is deeply divided in opposition is likely to be a key factor in the court's assessment of the seriousness of this case.
However, unlike former President Yoon, former Prime Minister Han's cooperation with the special prosecutor's team's summons and his assistance during the 14-hour investigation on the 2nd may be considered as factors reducing the risk of flight or evidence destruction. The guarantee of the right to defense is also a major issue in the dismissal of the arrest warrant.
The special prosecutor's team has also placed former Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min, former Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae, and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, who are suspected of supporting or abetting the martial law during the cabinet meeting, under investigation.
Regarding the 'Pyongyang drone suspicion', the special prosecutor's team summoned Kim Myung-soo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Navy Admiral), as a witness to investigate the decision-making process, reporting routes, and subsequent responses during the drone launch.
Meanwhile, Special Prosecutor Kim Geon-hee's team (Special Prosecutor Min Joong-gi) is still in a standoff over the investigation of Mrs. Kim scheduled for the 6th of next month. According to the special prosecutor's team, Mrs. Kim's side submitted a statement requesting that the investigation be divided into different dates for each charge, that a minimum of 3-4 days of rest be guaranteed between each summons, and that the investigation be concluded before 6 p.m. However, the special prosecutor's team stated that they plan to proceed with the summons in accordance with the law and principles.
The special prosecutor's team summoned former administrative officer Yoo Kyung-ok and administrative officer Jeong Ji-won, known as the 'Three Musketeers', on the 25th to question them about allegations of receiving expensive necklaces. On this day, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Samil Accounting Corporation were searched to clarify suspicions related to the Cambodia Economic Cooperation Fund.
Special Prosecutor Chae Sang-byeong's team (Special Prosecutor Lee Myung-hyun) sent investigators to secure data at the residences of participants in the KakaoTalk group chat room 'Stylish Marines', suspected to be a lobbying channel for the rescue of former Marine Corps 1st Division Commander Lim Seong-geun. kyu0705@fnnews.com Kim Dong-kyu, Seo Min-ji, Choi Eun-sol, Jeong Kyung-soo reporters