Following the special investigations into three major issues (insurrection, Kim Keon Hee, and the deceased Marine), the second comprehensive special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, plans to investigate Investigation Unit 2. This unit was formed as an unofficial organization under former Intelligence Commander Noh Sang-won during martial law. The team intends to apply charges of organized crime to this group.
During a regular briefing on Monday at the special investigation team’s office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Special Prosecutor Kim Ji-mi announced that it plans to file charges of organized crime against those involved in the illegal investigation plans targeting National Election Commission (NEC) employees by Investigation Unit 2 during the insurrection.
Investigation Unit 2 was conceived by former Intelligence Commander Noh, a civilian at the time, prior to the December 3 martial law declaration. This group was reportedly formed during the so-called hamburger house meeting. After martial law was imposed, the unit allegedly attempted to seize the NEC’s server and arrest its staff while investigating claims of election fraud, aiming to take control of the election commission.
The special investigation team also disclosed that they had questioned individuals from the prosecution team regarding allegations of covering up the investigation into Kim Keon Hee’s involvement in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case.
Special Prosecutor Kim stated that last week, we conducted searches at the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office related to the alleged cover-up of the Deutsche Motors investigation. We are currently analyzing the seized materials. We have summoned individuals connected to the 2024 investigation team and plan to continue the inquiry.
The allegations involving Kim Keon Hee suggest that after the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation investigation began, former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife influenced the probe through former Justice Minister Park Seong-jae. This allegedly led to a decision not to prosecute while conducting only a superficial investigation.
In May 2024, after Lee Chang-soo became the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, prosecutors questioned Kim at a building managed by the Presidential Security Service. Controversy erupted when it was revealed that then-Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok had not been informed about this interrogation.
In October of that year, the Central District Prosecutors’ Office decided not to indict Kim, citing insufficient evidence. The special investigation team conducted searches at the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office and the Central District Prosecutors’ Office on March 23, suspecting that an unidentified individual had abused their authority to pressure or direct the decision not to prosecute.
Last week, the special investigation team completed interviews with 23 witnesses, including Colonel Kwon Young-hwan, who served as the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during martial law, and Hong Chang-sik, the legal officer of the Ministry of National Defense.
Colonel Kwon was in charge of martial law operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the emergency declaration in December 2024. The special investigation team reportedly questioned Hong about allegations that former President Yoon had conspired with military leaders prior to the December 3 martial law declaration.
Special Prosecutor Kim also mentioned that this week, it plans to summon witnesses from the Korea Policy Broadcasting Institute (KTV) and the fire department in connection with the insurrection investigation.
KTV is suspected of receiving advance notice of the December 3 martial law declaration plan and preparing for a live broadcast. The National Fire Agency allegedly received orders from former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, who was sentenced to seven years in prison in the first trial for his involvement in key insurrection-related duties, regarding media power outages during martial law.
Regarding allegations of preferential treatment in relocating the presidential office and residence, Special Prosecutor Kim stated that last week, it completed searches at the offices of the National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee chair, the Presidential Archives, and the Security Service. It is currently reviewing the materials and have begun summoning relevant individuals.
Special Prosecutor Kim also noted that the second comprehensive special investigation team feels the need to add another special prosecutor to handle the vast amount of investigative materials received from the three major special investigations and the National Investigation Headquarters. It has therefore recommended two candidates for this position to the President.
The special investigation team has a total of five special prosecutor positions, but currently only four (Kwon Young-bin, Kim Jeong-min, Kim Ji-mi, and Jin Eul-jong) have been appointed.