Rebellion Special Prosecutor "Han Deok-soo, Situation Different from Constitutional Court's Dismissal of Impeachment... Additional Evidence"

[Financial News] The Rebellion and Foreign Affairs Special Prosecutor Team (Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok) emphasized that the situation has changed significantly from when the Constitutional Court judged that former Prime Minister Han Deok-soo was not actively involved in former President Yoon Seok-yeol's proclamation of martial law on December 3.
Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young stated in a media briefing on the afternoon of the 19th, "When the Constitutional Court judged the case, evidence had not been collected," and "The reason for the judgment of no charges in the Constitutional Court's decision was the lack of objective evidence," she said.
The Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment motion against former Prime Minister Han in March, ruling that the National Assembly's reasons for impeachment, which claimed that former Prime Minister Han conspired or condoned the proclamation of martial law by former President Yoon on December 3, could not be recognized. At the time, the Constitutional Court stated, "(Former Prime Minister Han) only heard about the plan to proclaim martial law from the President about two hours before the proclamation, and there is no evidence or objective material to suggest that he knew about it beforehand."
It continued, "It is acknowledged that he suggested convening a meeting to hear the opinions of the cabinet members before the proclamation of martial law," but "there is no evidence or objective material to suggest that he actively suggested the proclamation or convened a cabinet meeting to provide procedural legitimacy for the proclamation of martial law."
Special Prosecutor Park explained, "Since the Constitutional Court's decision, the special prosecutor has been launched, and additional evidence has been collected in many areas, including related materials." As the special prosecutor team has secured additional evidence, the legal judgment on former Prime Minister Han's conspiracy and involvement in martial law may also change.
Special Prosecutor Park further emphasized that to determine whether former Prime Minister Han can be considered an accomplice in rebellion, it is necessary to examine the circumstances under which he suggested convening a cabinet meeting before the proclamation of martial law. He said, "It is necessary to judge whether the omission of what should have been done is a subject of criminal responsibility, or whether there was an active act on his part."
Former President Yoon instructed only six out of the 13 cabinet members, excluding those already in the presidential office, including former Prime Minister Han, to come to the presidential office just before the proclamation of martial law on December 3. After the quorum of 11 cabinet members was met, it was revealed by police investigation that he unilaterally announced the proclamation of martial law for two minutes. The special prosecutor team suspects that former Prime Minister Han, knowing that the proclamation of martial law requires cabinet deliberation, convened the cabinet meeting to secure the legitimacy of martial law.
The special prosecutor team has been investigating former Prime Minister Han as a suspect since 9:30 AM today. It is known that former Prime Minister Han is not exercising his right to remain silent.
After today's investigation, there is also a possibility that an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han may be requested. Special Prosecutor Park said, "Whether or not an arrest warrant will be requested can only be determined after the investigation is completed."


kyu0705@fnnews.com Kim Dong-kyu Reporter