The martial law special counsel said on the 3rd that a court's dismissal of an arrest warrant for People Power Party lawmaker Choo Kyung-ho was "a decision we respect but find difficult to accept." The office added, "If it is said that an arrest investigation is not necessary for this important matter, it is truly questionable who could ever be arrested."
Special Counsel Park Ji-young held a briefing at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the day and said, "On the day marking one year since the declaration of emergency martial law, the dismissal of the arrest warrant (for Choo) will greatly disappoint the public," and stated accordingly.
The martial law special counsel sought an arrest warrant for Choo, saying he obstructed the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law on Dec. 3 last year, but the court dismissed it the same day, saying "there is room for dispute over the charges and legal principles."
Regarding this, Special Counsel Park said, "The reason for dismissal was that 'there is room for dispute over the charges and legal principles,' but if the party denies it, there is always room for dispute," adding, "Everyone in the public has confirmed the objective facts, so if it is said that an arrest investigation is not necessary for this important matter, it is truly questionable who could ever be arrested."
Park added, "If arrest investigations are not conducted on the grounds that there is room for dispute even over facts that are clearly revealed, I was left with the fear that the same conduct could be repeated by lawmakers if the same situation arises."
The martial law special counsel plans to indict Choo without further investigation. Special Counsel Park said, "We have gathered enough evidence to prove the charges." However, the office said it does not plan to indict other lawmakers as accomplices besides Choo.