Special Counsel for Insurrection Focuses Investigation on Park Sung-jae’s ‘Awareness of Illegality’... Calls Han Dong-hoon’s Remarks ‘Highly Inappropriate’

[Financial News] The Special Counsel for Insurrection, headed by Cho Eun-seok, announced that its ongoing reinvestigation of former Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae is focusing on whether he was aware of the illegality of declaring martial law. Regarding remarks made by former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who mentioned the so-called ‘Special Counsel Career Prevention Act,’ the team expressed strong displeasure, calling the comments ‘highly inappropriate.’
At a regular briefing on the 23rd, Deputy Special Counsel Park Ji-young stated that the questioning of former Minister Park began at 3 p.m. that day, emphasizing, “The most important issue is related to awareness of illegality.” She added, “We will focus on this aspect in further questioning.” The investigation of Park is expected to conclude for the most part by the end of the day.
The Special Counsel is also examining whether Park Sung-jae could have reasonably anticipated that the declaration of martial law would paralyze the functions of the National Assembly, and whether he proceeded with his duties regardless. Investigators are probing whether Park expected that the deployment of military forces to the National Assembly would effectively obstruct the Assembly’s resolution to lift martial law.
A particularly critical issue is whether Park was aware of the contents of the proclamation, which included a total ban on political and party activities. If he knowingly performed his duties despite this, the investigation seeks to determine whether he tacitly condoned the illegality of blocking the National Assembly’s resolution to lift martial law.
Meanwhile, the Special Counsel strongly refuted remarks by former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon. In a Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) radio interview the previous day, Han argued that special counsels often resign mid-term and called for a ‘Special Counsel Career Prevention Act.’ He also pointed out, “In this special counsel investigation, there is a provision allowing only dispatched prosecutors to maintain the prosecution, which is outrageous.”
The provision in question is the latter part of Article 8, Paragraph 2 of the revised Special Counsel Act on Insurrection. It allows dispatched prosecutors to maintain the prosecution in court under the direction and supervision of the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel, even in their absence. Han raised suspicions that this provision was designed to enable special counsels to step down early for career advancement.
In response, Deputy Special Counsel Park stated, “Even under the revised law, maintaining the prosecution by dispatched prosecutors is impossible without the direction and supervision of the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel, even if they do not appear in court themselves.” She emphasized, “The authority for investigation and prosecution originates entirely from the Special Counsel. No criminal justice procedure can proceed without the Special Counsel.”
She further noted, “Any legal professional can understand the intent of this provision. Those with experience working in a special counsel’s office would be especially aware of its purpose.” She criticized, “It is highly inappropriate for a legal professional and politician to distort the law by suggesting that the amendment allows dispatched prosecutors to independently maintain the prosecution without the Special Counsel, and to disparage the Special Counsel without any basis.”
Han Dong-hoon previously served as a dispatched prosecutor on the special counsel team investigating the 2016 government corruption scandal.


scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter