The special investigation team for insurrection is investigating Fire Administration Commissioner Heo Seok-gon regarding suspicions of instructing media outlets to cut power and water during the state of emergency on Dec. 3.
It has been reported that the special investigation team has summoned Commissioner Heo as a witness since 10 a.m. that day. The team plans to investigate the facts surrounding suspicions that former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min instructed the Fire Administration to cut power and water to some media outlets during the state of emergency.
Former Minister Lee is accused of receiving instructions from former President Yoon Suk-yeol to cut power and water to certain media during the cabinet meeting to declare the state of emergency, and of passing this on to the fire and police departments. It is reported that he called Police Agency Chief Jo Ji-ho and Fire Administration Commissioner Heo Seok-gon in succession to relay the instructions. Additionally, Commissioner Heo is said to have passed this on to Deputy Fire Administration Commissioner Lee Young-pal and former Seoul Fire Disaster Headquarters Chief Hwang Gi-seok.
Earlier, the special investigation team conducted searches at the residences of former Minister Lee, the Fire Administration, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Sejong Government Complex, as well as the Seoul Fire Disaster Headquarters, the Security Department of the Seoul National Police Agency, and the Central, Mapo, and Seodaemun fire stations on the 17th concerning the suspicions. On the 18th, they summoned former Chief Hwang Gi-seok, on the 21st they summoned former Fire Administration Director General for Planning and Coordination Bae Deok-gon, and on the 22nd they summoned Deputy Fire Administration Commissioner Lee Young-pal to investigate the related suspicions.
In addition, the special investigation team has notified former Minister Lee to appear as a suspect on the 25th.