Insurrection Special Prosecutor Requests 'Witness Examination' for Former People Power Party Leader Han Dong-hoon

[Financial News] The insurrection special prosecutor team, investigating the allegations of obstructing the vote on the 12·3 martial law revocation proposal in the National Assembly, has requested a witness examination for former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon at the Seoul Central District Court.
Prosecutor Park Ji-young announced at a press briefing at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th, that this is a measure according to Article 221-2 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Prosecutor Park stated, "Former leader Han has duties as a party leader, and we are reviewing whether his duties were obstructed by former People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho," adding, "Although former leader Han claims he can fully understand the situation at the time through his written work, this is his perspective, not the perspective of the investigation."
Furthermore, "At the scene during the martial law, the messages of former leader Han and former leader Choo were different," explaining that "there might have been a possibility of exchanging opinions while sharing the situation."
The special prosecutor team is investigating the suspicion that former leader Choo, at the request of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, obstructed other lawmakers' participation in the martial law revocation vote by repeatedly changing the venue of the general assembly.
Article 221-2 of the Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that if a person who is clearly recognized to know a fact indispensable for the investigation refuses to appear or testify, the prosecutor may request a witness examination from the judge before the first trial date. However, as the court only accepts it if the reason for believing the person clearly knows the related facts is presented, it is known that actual cases are rare.
If the court accepts, and the witness fails to comply with the summons, they can be forcibly brought in, and they will be questioned by the prosecutor in front of the judge, similar to the usual witness examination process. The testimony given during the witness examination has the same effect as a protocol.
Prosecutor Park explained that the request for a witness examination was due to former leader Han's non-compliance with the appearance request. He said, "We have demanded the appearance of the reference person in various ways, such as by phone and text," adding, "As this person is essential to uncovering the truth of this matter, we hope that the entire nation will be aware of the situation at the time through active investigation."
The special prosecutor team plans to continue requesting witness examinations for political figures who refuse to be summoned as reference persons, starting with former leader Han.
Prosecutor Park stated, "Some of the people whom the special prosecutor team requested to be summoned have responded by saying they will consider whether to comply with the summons," adding, "In cases where the non-appearance of reference persons other than former leader Han is clear, we will actively request witness examinations."
The special prosecutor team also hinted at the possibility of converting some of the People Power Party lawmakers who stayed in the party's floor leader's office during the voting phase into suspects.
Prosecutor Park explained, "Some of the lawmakers who gathered in the People Power Party floor leader's office might have been involved in former leader Choo's decision-making," adding, "Although not all of those who have been reported will be converted into suspects, some may be converted into suspects."
kyu0705@fnnews.com Kim Dong-kyu Reporter