Han Donghoon Refuses Witness Examination: "Go Ahead and Try Forced Attendance" ... Special Prosecutor on Insurrection Says "Deeply Regrettable"

Special Prosecutor: "Procedures After the Request Are Within the Court's Domain"
Strong Criticism Delivered

The special prosecutor's team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating allegations of insurrection and treason related to martial law, stated on September 15 that it was "deeply regrettable" for former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon to criticize the team's request for his witness examination, describing Han's remarks as "If you want to do it, go ahead."

Yonhap News Agency

Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung said at a briefing that day, "The procedures following a request for witness examination are entirely within the court's domain. Han, as a former Minister of Justice who has worked in the criminal justice system for a long time, should be well aware of this," adding, "It is very regrettable for him to say 'If you want to do it, go ahead,' as if the special prosecutor intends to forcibly bring him in."

Previously, the special prosecutor's team requested Han to appear as a reference witness regarding suspicions that he obstructed the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law. However, Han did not comply with the request. As a result, the team petitioned the court to conduct a pretrial witness examination of Han. They also stated that if Han does not appear on the scheduled date, they would consider measures for compulsory attendance.

Subsequently, Han posted on Facebook, "The special prosecutor has announced plans to forcibly bring in the very person-myself-who took the lead in opposing martial law," and added, "I say, go ahead if you want." In response, Special Prosecutor Park commented, "There has been no individual contact from Han," and added, "He continues to communicate only through his Facebook posts."

If a person fails to appear after being requested by an investigative agency to provide testimony as a reference witness, the court may summon them as a witness for a pretrial examination to secure their statement as court testimony.

The court has granted the special prosecutor's request for a pretrial witness examination of Han, scheduling the session for September 23. If Han fails to comply without a valid reason, the court may impose fines or order compulsory attendance as follow-up measures.

'Church Search and Seizure' Editorial Criticized by Special Prosecutor as "Malicious and Despicable, Will Respond Firmly"

On the same day, the special prosecutor's team criticized media reports about a church search and seizure, calling them "malicious and despicable acts." One media outlet wrote in an editorial, "The special prosecutor on insurrection has been criticized for excessive investigations, such as the dismissal of the arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and the search and seizure of a church and Osan Air Base."

Special Prosecutor Park countered, "A leading newspaper editorial has published a defamatory article by stating the falsehood that the special prosecutor searched and seized a church," and added, "It is a widely known fact not only among the people of Korea but also internationally that the special prosecutor has never searched or seized a church." She continued, "If the journalist who wrote the editorial was unaware of this, they are unqualified as a journalist," and stated that the team plans to respond firmly to the journalist responsible for spreading false information.

Yonhap News Agency

Additionally, the special prosecutor's team has conducted searches and seizures at the residence of former Minister of National Defense Kim Yonghyun and other locations in connection with allegations of treason, including the 'Pyongyang drone' case. The team is investigating suspicions that former President Yoon Sukyeol sent a drone to Pyongyang to provoke North Korea and create justification for declaring martial law. It is reported that the team has found evidence suggesting that Kim was involved in the operation since his tenure as chief of the Presidential Security Service.