The Marine Special Prosecutor's Office announced that it plans to summon Choi Tae-yong, the former head of the National Intelligence Service, for questioning on the 13th. Choi has already been summoned twice by the Marine Special Prosecutor's Office for investigations related to allegations of abuse of power for exerting outside pressure during the investigation into the death of Cha Sang-byeong.
On the 12th, Special Prosecutor Jung Min-young stated in a morning briefing, "We plan to investigate former National Intelligence Service head Choi Tae-yong starting at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow," adding, "We have already conducted two investigations, but decided to summon him again as there are additional matters to clarify."
Special Prosecutor Jung noted, "As we secured communication records related to the case, including those from the Biwapon, there are additional details to confirm regarding Choi. There were parts during the previous two investigations where his memory was unclear, so we determined further investigation is needed in this area."
Choi became a target of investigation as the special prosecutor sought to clarify the 'VIP anger theory.' The VIP anger theory suggests that former President Yoon became enraged after receiving the results of the investigation into Cha's death during a meeting of senior secretaries at the Presidential Office at 11 a.m. on July 31, 2023, and that former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop suddenly instructed a media briefing and to withhold the transfer to the police.
It has been investigated that after that meeting, Choi communicated separately with former defense secretary Lim Gi-hoon and Nam A about the former President Yoon.