Kim Yong-hyun, Former Defense Minister, Refuses to Attend Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor's Office..."Request for Investigation Meeting"

[Financial News] Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense, decided not to comply with the investigation request scheduled for the 6th by the special prosecutor team for Chae Sang-byeong (Lee Myung-hyun Special Prosecutor).
Kim's legal team announced on the 5th through a notice, "We were informed by the special prosecutor to appear at 10 a.m. on the 6th, and the legal team was notified of this today," adding, "Due to the circumstances of being notified just one day prior, we cannot exercise the right to counsel and cannot appear tomorrow."
They further added, "We request that the investigation be conducted in the usual manner at the detention center and that the schedule with the legal team be coordinated in advance."
Kim, the former minister, was present at the chief secretary meeting presided over by then-President Yoon Suk-yeol on July 31, 2023, when the 'anger theory' of the former president was raised.
The special prosecutor team planned to summon the detained former minister Kim to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutor's Office to comprehensively investigate the contents reported to former President Yoon at the meeting, instructions given, and subsequent actions such as the retrieval of the case.
Jung Min-young, the special prosecutor for Chae Sang-byeong, stated at a regular briefing on the day regarding the possibility of Kim refusing the investigation, "It's the same situation as former President Yoon," and explained, "In principle, the person involved should appear at the place of investigation, so we notified accordingly."
Kim, the former minister, has been on trial since last year for leading the 12·3 Martial Law situation on charges including engaging in important duties of rebellion. Additionally, on June 25, the special prosecutor team for rebellion and treason (Cho Eun-seok Special Prosecutor) filed additional charges for obstruction of official duties by deception, extending his detention period.




scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter