On the 1st, the Marine Corps Special Investigation Unit announced that it had secured the encryption phone used by Kim Keon-hee. The Special Investigation Unit plans to provide this encryption phone to the Kim Keon-hee Special Investigation Unit.
On the 1st, Jeong Min-young, deputy chief of the Special Investigation Unit, said during a morning briefing, "We have secured the physical encryption phone and communication records used by Kim Keon-hee, spouse of former President Yoon Suk-yeol." He noted that they plan to provide the physical encryption phone and communication records to the Kim Keon-hee Special Investigation Unit.
He added that next week they expect to receive the call records from the encryption phones of former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop and former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong from the Security Office.
Former Minister Lee and former Director Cho became subjects of investigation as the Special Investigation Unit seeks to clarify the 'VIP anger theory.' The VIP anger theory suggests that former President Yoon became enraged after receiving a report on the investigation results of Private First Class Chae's death during a meeting with senior secretaries on July 31, 2023, and that he subsequently ordered Lee to abruptly hold a press briefing and withhold the transmission to the police. It has been investigated that Cho held separate discussions with former President Yoon along with Lim Ki-hoon, the former secretary of defense, after that meeting.
Deputy Chief Jeong said, "By around next week, it seems we will be able to submit the communication records from the encryption phones, including those involving former President Yoon and former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun (involved parties). We expect to specifically confirm how many encryption phones were used by Kim Keon-hee and which ones were in use during the Private First Class Chae's death incident around next week."
However, regarding the question from reporters about 'when do you expect the former president to be summoned,' Deputy Chief Jeong said, "We have not yet discussed the specific time and method of the summons."
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Unit plans to summon Jeon Ha-kyu, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, and Jeong Jong-beom, deputy commander of the Marine Corps, as witnesses for investigation at 10 a.m. on the 5th. Deputy Chief Jeong stated, "The former spokesperson was present when the results of the investigation into Private First Class Chae were reported to former Minister Lee," adding, "Deputy Commander Jeong is someone who had direct contact with former Minister Lee at that time and can confirm his directives."