The second special counsel, currently investigating allegations that the Defense Counterintelligence Command compiled a so-called "military blacklist," on the 14th called in former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Choi Kang-wook as a reference witness. The special counsel the same day also summoned Yang, a former aide to Minister Kim Yong-hyun at the Ministry of National Defense, as a suspect on suspicion of destroying evidence.
At the heart of the blacklist allegations the special counsel is examining is whether documents were created cataloging the political leanings of current and former military officers and judge advocates and their ties to specific politicians, and whether those documents were used in personnel decisions.
The so-called "Choi Kang-wook list" is said to include the former lawmaker's service record as a former judge advocate, his activities after discharge, and a roster of about 30 judge advocates classified as having ties to him. Earlier, the special counsel on Feb. 27 questioned Kim Sang-hwan, former head of the Army Legal Office, who was named in the document, as a complainant.
The focus of the investigation is whether the document remained merely a reference or whether it led to actual personnel disadvantages or abuse of authority. Through the questioning of the former lawmaker Choi, the special counsel is believed to have examined how the counterintelligence command collected and managed his military career and external activities, and how the so-called "Choi Kang-wook list" was used in military personnel processes. In legal circles, the view is that the special counsel considers this case a priority in the blacklist probe and is also looking into the possibility of applying abuse of authority charges to figures including former counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyung.
The questioning of Yang is tied to allegations of evidence destruction after the declaration of martial law. Yang is accused of destroying a laptop, mobile phone and documents on Dec. 5, 2024, at the direction of the former Minister Kim. The special counsel is said to be pressing Yang on when the state of preparation for martial law became known, from what point related discussions took place, and the whereabouts of the laptop in question and the circumstances of its disposal.