Rebellion Special Prosecutor, Han Deok-su Deliberates on Arrest Warrant... "Seriousness of Crime and Testimony Considered"

[Financial News] The Rebellion and Foreign Exchange Special Prosecutor Team (Cho Eun-seok Special Prosecutor) is summoning former Prime Minister Han Deok-su, who is accused of participating in and abetting rebellion, as a suspect for investigation. The special prosecutor team plans to comprehensively review the seriousness of Han's crimes and the content of his testimony to decide whether to request an arrest warrant.
Special Prosecutor Assistant Park Ji-young stated at a regular briefing on the afternoon of the 22nd regarding the decision to request an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han, "We will comprehensively judge the seriousness of the crime and the possibility of evidence destruction." Former Prime Minister Han is being investigated from 9:30 AM today.
Former Prime Minister Han has claimed that he does not remember receiving the proclamation from former President Yoon Seok-yeol at the time of the martial law declaration, but during the second investigation on the 19th, he reportedly testified to the effect that "(on the day of martial law) he received the proclamation from former President Yoon." This is interpreted as effectively overturning his previous stance and acknowledging participation in and abetting martial law.
Regarding this, Special Prosecutor Assistant Park stated, "We cannot conclude about the acknowledgment until the investigation is complete," and explained, "The most important part is whether involvement in the rebellion has been proven and acknowledged."
The role of former Prime Minister Han as an 'assistant' during martial law is also becoming a point of contention. Special Prosecutor Assistant Park said, "It is difficult to see criminal responsibility just because (the martial law declaration) was not stopped." However, the special prosecutor is looking into whether former Prime Minister Han facilitated the smooth execution of martial law through activities such as convening cabinet meetings.
The special prosecutor has decided to continuously investigate former Army Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won from the 23rd to the 24th this weekend. Recently, the special prosecutor reportedly secured circumstances that Commander Noh contacted a third party accused of abetting rebellion at key times. Additionally, it is understood that Commander Noh has acknowledged that the handwriting in the so-called 'Noh Sang-won notebook' is his own.
Jeong Ji-won, a former administrative officer at the Presidential Residence Team, will also be summoned on the 23rd. The special prosecutor is expected to question former administrative officer Jeong about the suspicion of obstructing the lifting of martial law by the National Assembly. In particular, they plan to focus on whether former People's Power Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho visited the Presidential Residence before and after the emergency martial law and whether there was prior discussion with former President Yoon.
 


scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter