[Anchor]
The second comprehensive special prosecution team, which is investigating lingering questions about the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, has launched a compulsory probe targeting former First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, Kim Tae-hyo.
Prosecutors allege he tried to justify the martial law and persuade allied envoys, including the U.S. ambassador, immediately after it was lifted.
Reporter Yoon Joo Bae reports.
[Reporter]
On the 8th, the second comprehensive special prosecution team carried out a surprise search and seizure at Kim Tae-hyo’s home and other locations.
The warrant cites the charge of engaging in key duties related to an insurrection.
Prosecutors say the allegation stems from claims that he tried to persuade allied countries of the martial law’s legitimacy during the Dec. 3 incident.
Jeong Dong-yeong, then a Democratic Party lawmaker who first raised the allegation in January last year, said, “Kim repeatedly argued that martial law was inevitable to eliminate anti-state forces. The U.S. ambassador reportedly said he was shocked to hear that.”
Kim has acknowledged speaking with the U.S. ambassador but denied defending the martial law.
Kim Tae-hyo, former first deputy director of the National Security Office (during a parliamentary probe in January last year): “Other than watching the broadcast of the statement, I had no information, so I suggested we observe the situation together and then ended the call. It’s completely false. Both the timing and the content are lies.”
However, the special prosecution says it believes a so-called “martial law diplomatic campaign” took place under the direction of Yoon Suk Yeol.
Investigators allege Kim and Shin Won Sik conspired to instruct staff at the National Security Office and the Foreign Ministry to explain the martial law’s legitimacy to allies, including the United States.
They say officials were ordered to present the martial law as “a measure to protect liberal democracy” and “a constitutional political protest responding to attempts by the National Assembly to paralyze the executive,” and to convey that “Yoon Suk Yeol opposes anti-Americanism.”
The special prosecution says these orders amounted to Yoon Suk Yeol, former director Shin Won Sik, and Kim directing civil servants to perform duties beyond their official responsibilities. Prosecutors have added abuse-of-power charges and are continuing the investigation.
This is Yoon Joo Bae for Yonhap News TV.
[Video editing: Park Chang-geun]
[Graphics: Min Seung-hwan, Choi Hyun-gyu]
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Yoon Joo Bae (boat@yna.co.kr)
