Kwon Chang-young’s second comprehensive special prosecutor team, which is investigating remaining allegations after three special prosecutor teams (insurrection, Kim Keon Hee, and the late Marine) wrapped up, questioned former Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul as a witness over suspicions that former President Yoon Suk Yeol sought to send allied countries including the United States a message justifying martial law.
The team said in a media notice on the 22nd that it questioned Cho about the circumstances in which the presidential office, immediately after the “12·3 insurrection,” allegedly instructed the Foreign Ministry to deliver a message to the United States aimed at justifying the martial law declaration.
Investigators said the message included claims such as: “This measure is to defend liberal democracy,” and that the National Assembly had “paralyzed the executive branch” through impeachment motions and budget cuts and sought the “substantial destruction” of South Korea’s constitutional order, prompting a “political demonstration within constitutional bounds.” It also said Yoon “maintains a stance” against “pro-North leftists” and “anti-Americanism,” the team said.
The team believes Yoon tried to deliver the message through former National Security Office chief Shin Won-sik and former first deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo.
Earlier, on the 8th, the team searched Kim’s home and office.
The warrant reportedly cited allegations that Shin and Kim played key roles in an insurrection and abused authority to obstruct the exercise of rights, and that Yoon abused authority.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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