The martial law special counsel said on the 16th it will question Democratic Party of Korea Floor Leader Kim Byung-ki as a reference witness on the 17th in connection with the alleged obstruction of the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law.
Special Counsel Park Ji-young said at a media briefing that "we plan to conduct a reference-witness interview with Floor Leader Kim at 4 p.m. on the 17th." Park added, "We will of course investigate matters related to the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law, and it appears there will be inquiries on other parts as well."
When reporters asked, "There is talk that you will visit the National Assembly to question Floor Leader Kim," Park said, "It appears this case will likely be handled through a visit." Park said, "In the case of a reference witness, we request cooperation with the interview and actively reflect the witness's preferences regarding the method, taking into account various circumstances," adding, "My understanding is that Floor Leader Kim is extremely busy."
The special counsel is investigating allegations that, during the process of lifting the Dec. 3 martial law, the People Power Party leadership, including then-Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho, interfered with lawmakers' attendance at the National Assembly vote. The special counsel suspects that the People Power Party's general assembly location being changed multiple times may have been intended to obstruct the National Assembly's vote.
At the time, the National Assembly's "resolution demanding the lifting of martial law" passed at 1:02 a.m. on Dec. 4 with 190 present and 190 in favor, while only 18 of the People Power Party's 108 lawmakers were participating.
In addition, Special Counsel Park said that "a summons for questioning of former Ministry of National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has been requested for the 19th." Park added, "It has not yet been confirmed whether the former Minister will comply with the summons."
Earlier, on Jun. 18, ahead of the expiration of the first-trial detention period on the charge of participation in important duties in an insurrection, the special counsel additionally indicted the former Minister Kim on charges of obstruction of official duties by deceit and incitement to destroy evidence. With the court issuing an additional detention warrant, the former Minister Kim remains held at a detention center.