The second special counsel said it would hand down a one-month pay cut to a special investigator who posted investigation-related materials, including photos of a suspect's statement, on social media (SNS).
Deputy Special Counsel Kim Ji-mi said at a briefing on the 4th that a disciplinary committee decided on a one-month pay cut for a special investigator, a person surnamed Lee. Lee reportedly posted on personal SNS a photo taken with Special Counsel Kwon Chang-young, a special investigator appointment certificate, and a stamped suspect statement.
Kim said, "There was a report about a post in which one special investigator uploaded photos and reflections felt while conducting an investigation on SNS," adding, "We convened a disciplinary committee and, considering a fact-finding inquiry and the individual's statement, issued a disposition."
In the post, Lee reportedly explained the reason for joining the special counsel by saying, "From a (special counsel) investigator's perspective, building investigative experience will maximize expertise in criminal cases." The post has since been deleted. Lee also reportedly wrote in the SNS profile an introduction as a divorce specialist and criminal defense attorney, along with experience as a special investigator with the special counsel.
The special counsel has been mired in fairness disputes as controversies over members' words and actions and conflicts of interest continued. Public Affairs Deputy Special Counsel Kim Ji-mi faced controversy for mentioning the status of the investigation on the YouTube channel "Kim Ou-joon's 'Humility Is Hard' News Factory."
Special Counsel Kwon also faced criticism as inappropriate after it was reported that, in a meeting with former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Choi Kang-wook, Kwon said a special joint investigation headquarters should be created to conduct a martial law-related probe for about three years. Deputy Special Counsel Kim Jeong-min previously represented former Marine investigation chief Park Jeong-hoon, prompting concerns about a conflict of interest as the special counsel investigates cases related to a Marine's line-of-duty death.
Separately, the special counsel said the Defense Counterintelligence Command confirmed indications that preparations for the Dec. 3 emergency martial law began in the first half of 2024. Deputy Special Counsel Kim said, "In questioning Defense Counterintelligence Command officials, we confirmed indications that they had been preparing for martial law since the first half of 2024."
The special counsel has been investigating whether former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former Ministry of National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun mobilized the military to make advance preparations before declaring emergency martial law. Earlier, the insurrection special counsel determined that the Dec. 3 emergency martial law was not a spontaneous measure but had been planned over a long period since before Oct. 2023.
The insurrection special counsel relied on items including notebook memos by former Defense Intelligence Command chief Noh Sang-won. The memos contained content related to corps commander personnel, and some entries were reportedly reflected in the actual October 2023 military personnel outcomes.