'Suspicion of Election Interference by Federation of Freedom' Jo Hyun-cheon... "It Was Just a Matter of Sensing the Atmosphere"

At the first trial date of former Defense Security Command (DSC) Commander Cho Hyun-cheon, who is accused of intervening to ensure the election of a specific candidate in the Korea Freedom Federation (Han-ja-chong) presidential election, testimony indicated that the involvement was limited to gauging the atmosphere. Witnesses stated that the provision of activity funds related to the deployment of THAAD was carried out as a form of support.

'Martial Law Document Suspicion' Former Defense Security Command Commander Cho Hyun-cheon
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th, Judge Kim Yu-mi of the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 6 presided over the first trial of former Commander Cho, who was indicted on charges including abuse of authority, obstruction of the exercise of rights, political involvement under the Military Criminal Act, and embezzlement. Former DSC Deputy Chief Park and former DSC Reserve Support Section Chief Son appeared as witnesses at the trial.

The witnesses testified that they received instructions from former Commander Cho to meet with Kim Kyung-jae, former National Assembly member and head of the election campaign headquarters, but described it as "merely gauging the atmosphere." Former Deputy Chief Park stated, "After receiving instructions to find additional ways to assist, I reported that there could be misunderstandings such as election interference, and then I was ordered to 'stop everything,' so I ended it midway."

The prosecution and the defendant’s side clashed during the trial. When the prosecution asked whether former Commander Cho had given instructions regarding support measures for former Assemblyman Kim, former Deputy Chief Park replied, "I did not consider it a major task; I thought it was about preparing response materials in case the Blue House or ministers mentioned it during external activities." When the prosecution referred to this as "just checking the situation," Cho’s defense team objected, saying, "When asked if he was instructed to check the situation, he clearly answered that he was told to gauge the atmosphere, but the prosecutor is asking based on the premise of 'checking the situation.'"

Testimonies concerning allegations that DSC budgets were used to form public opinion supporting the THAAD deployment also emerged in court. When the prosecution asked, "Around the time of the THAAD site announcement, were similar procedures for providing activity funds carried out?" former Deputy Chief Park responded, "Regarding THAAD, everything had already been decided. The Ministry of National Defense actively took part, and it was done as support for the THAAD deployment. The budget was probably executed as a form of support." Furthermore, when former Commander Cho’s side asked, "Is it necessary to comply with related orders since the Ministry of National Defense said that persuasion of residents regarding THAAD is needed?" former Deputy Chief Park answered, "Of course. To carry out the mission assigned by the Ministry of National Defense, a plan was established to form public opinion supporting the THAAD deployment."

Former Commander Cho is accused of intervening in the Korea Freedom Federation presidential election by preparing reports and using DSC budgets to form public opinion supporting the THAAD deployment. He is also suspected of mobilizing DSC personnel to hold rallies supporting former President Park Geun-hye and having them write columns.

Former Commander Cho left for the United States in December 2017 and did not comply with domestic investigation agencies’ summons, but returned to South Korea through Incheon International Airport on March 29 after 5 years and 3 months. He was indicted in custody on April 14 and was released on bail on June 29 while awaiting trial.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.