On the 7th, the special investigation team regarding the rebellion stated that it is summoning former National Security Office Chief Shin Won-sik and former Minister of Health and Welfare Jo Gyu-hong as witnesses for questioning. The two attended the Cabinet meeting right before the declaration of the emergency martial law on December 3rd last year.
Special investigator Park Ji-young noted in a news briefing that "Shin, the former chief, is being questioned from 10 a.m., while former Minister Jo is under investigation from 2 p.m.," adding that "both are in witness status."
The two attended the Cabinet meeting held just before former President Yoon Suk-yeol declared emergency martial law on December 3rd last year. The special investigation team is likely to ask Shin and Jo about the circumstances and processes surrounding the Cabinet meeting prior to the declaration of martial law.
In particular, former chief Shin is reported to have been aware of the plans to declare emergency martial law in advance and to have tried to persuade former President Yoon against it. Shin previously served as Minister of Defense when Kim Yong-hyun was the chief of the National Security Service. The special investigation team appears set to investigate when Shin became aware of matters related to martial law.
Additionally, the special investigation team is expected to investigate former Minister Jo regarding his absence from the Cabinet meeting for the lifting of martial law, as well as whether he was involved in the contents of the martial law proclamation, including the statement 'punishment for failure to return to duty.'
Meanwhile, the special investigation team is questioning National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik as a witness from 10 a.m. today. In this regard, Deputy Prosecutor Park noted that "Speaker Woo is directly attending the investigation as a witness who presided over the National Assembly's resolution for the lifting of martial law around 9:45 a.m. as well as representing members of the National Assembly who suffered damage from military and police aggression," adding that they are investigating his role as speaker and the situation in the National Assembly in relation to the swift lifting of unconstitutional and illegal martial law.
Deputy Prosecutor Park also mentioned regarding the 'obstruction of the National Assembly decision' allegations that some witnesses are not cooperating in the investigation. He expressed hope that "this (Speaker Woo's attendance) will serve as an opportunity for cooperation from National Assembly members in the investigation of the truth."
Earlier, Speaker Woo told reporters he met while attending the investigation, "It is historically essential to clarify the facts concerning the rebellion that arose from the recent martial law, which is a vital responsibility to the Constitution and the people," adding, "Through my testimony today, I will do my utmost to uphold legal and political justice related to martial law as the Speaker of the National Assembly."
Deputy Prosecutor Park also noted on the possibility of former President Yoon not attending the trial concerning his charges as the leader of the rebellion that "if he does not appear, requesting a warrant for his arrest from the court is the best we can do," expressing belief that "he will attend the trial."
Former President Yoon has not appeared for investigations by the special investigation team or the ongoing criminal trial at the Seoul Central District Court since his arrest on the 10th of last month. The trial regarding Yoon's rebellion charges was paused during the court recess and is expected to resume next week.