Jo Ji-ho, Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency, stated that after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, Yeon In-hyung, director of counterintelligence, requested by phone to track the whereabouts of key political figures, including Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party.
Commissioner Jo responded at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 9th to a question from Democratic Party of Korea legislator Jeon Hyun-hee about who the counterintelligence director requested to track.
Commissioner Jo stated, “I received a call from Director Ye right after Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, around 10:30 to 10:40 p.m. on the 3rd,” noting, “The list of individuals for location tracking given by Director Ye included Representative Lee Jae-myung and Democratic Party legislator Jung Chung-rae.”
Commissioner Jo added, “Initially, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, was not on the list provided, but a call came later requesting an addition, so he was included.”
He continued, “I noted the location tracking list at the time, but if asked to recall each one, it would be difficult to detail the list of 15 names as if taking a photo,” explaining, “The request to the police was not for arrests, but to conduct location tracking for arrests.”
Commissioner Jo claimed not to have complied with Director Ye’s location tracking request. He stated, “Location tracking itself is illegal, and a warrant issued by the court is necessary, which was not available, so police could not proceed.”
Currently, the special investigation unit of the National Police Investigative Headquarters is investigating and has booked Commissioner Jo for instructing to fully restrict National Assembly access on the day of the martial law incident. Regarding this, Commissioner Jo stated, “After the investigation started, I instructed the head of the National Investigative Headquarters and related directors not to report to me,” noting, “Law stipulates that the Commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency should not direct individual cases. I will diligently engage in the investigation.”
Regarding the control instructions at the time, Commissioner Jo has previously mentioned, “I have many regrets,” and noted, “I have no desire to cling to this position.”