The special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok, is probing allegations of insurrection and violations of foreign exchange laws in connection with the December 3 state of emergency declaration. They are scheduled to question former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun regarding suspicious drone activity near Pyongyang.
Kim’s legal team has pushed back, contending that the special prosecutor’s investigation into routine military operations as possible foreign exchange crimes could compromise national security by exposing sensitive military information to the public.
Investigators are set to interview Kim, who is currently detained at the Dongbu Detention Center in Seoul, starting at 9:00 a.m. today.
The team intends to focus on the Pyongyang drone allegations during this session, marking the first time they will address the charges related to foreign exchange violations.
Investigators suspect that former President Yoon Suk Yeol conspired with Kim to manufacture pretexts for declaring a state of emergency by deploying drones to provoke North Korea.
Kim faces charges of collaborating with former President Yoon, Joint Chiefs of Staff operations chief Lee Seung-oh, and drone operations commander Kim Yong-dae to incite provocations by North Korea, thereby justifying the emergency declaration. The charges include treason and abuse of power.
On September 15, the special investigation team executed a search warrant at Kim’s residence and seized his mobile device, citing allegations of treason and abuse of authority.
Kim’s defense team issued a statement asserting that last year’s six-month campaign of enemy provocations involving balloons carrying waste materials constituted a severe violation of the armistice agreement, jeopardizing South Korea’s national security and the safety of its citizens. They maintained that the efforts of the Drone Command were aimed at deterring enemy actions by demonstrating military readiness and resolve.
The statement continued that these efforts successfully reduced and ultimately halted the enemy’s balloon-based provocations, significantly mitigating threats to the national security and the safety of the citizens. Further noting that it demands an immediate cessation of this demeaning investigation into our dedicated service members who were simply performing their duties.
On September 18, the investigation team questioned former Army Chief of Staff Park An-su, former Commander Kim, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Kim Myung-soo, followed by summoning Lee the next day. They have also notified former President Yoon to appear for questioning on Wednesday.
Yoon’s legal team has objected to this development, arguing that issuing a unilateral summons before securing legal representation is improper and unjust.