On the 17th, the special investigation team for the insurrection is conducting a search and seizure at the home of former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, as well as at the National Fire Agency and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Sejong government complex. Former Minister Lee is facing allegations that he ordered power and water cuts to certain media companies during the state of emergency on Dec. 3.
Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young noted at a press briefing that "since 9 a.m. today, search and seizure operations are underway at nine sites, including the residence of former Minister Lee, the National Fire Agency, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, related to the incident of attempting to control media companies."
Former Minister Lee is accused of receiving instructions from former President Yoon Suk-yeol during the martial law and directing the National Fire Agency to cut off power and water to media companies such as Hankyoreh, Kyunghyang Shinmun, and MBC. Former Minister Lee denies the allegations, stating that he saw related documents in the presidential office but has never received those documents.
Former Minister Lee is also facing allegations that he met with former Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Joo-hyun, former Minister of Justice Park Seong-jae, and former Chairman of the Legislation Office Lee Wan-kyu at the presidential villa in Samcheong-dong on Dec. 4 of last year, the day martial law was lifted, to discuss follow-up measures after the martial law and a second martial law.