Rebellion Special Prosecutor Summons Former Senior Secretary Hong Cheolho for Questioning on Evidence Destruction Allegations

Kim Yonghyun, Former Defense Minister, Questioned at Detention Center...
Kim Exercises Right to Remain Silent
Special Prosecutor: "If Yoon Actively Cooperates, On-Site Investigation Is Possible"

Hong Cheolho, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The special prosecutor's team investigating the rebellion case (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunsuk) has summoned and is questioning Hong Cheolho, former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office, for a second time.

On September 22, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated at a regular briefing, "We have summoned former Secretary Hong as a suspect and are currently questioning him," adding, "We are verifying not only the charges against him but also various matters he witnessed on the ground before and after the declaration of martial law."

Former Secretary Hong is suspected of having replaced his mobile phone, which contained call records with individuals involved in the rebellion case, after leaving his post. The special prosecutor's team is investigating whether Hong changed his phone for the purpose of destroying evidence, particularly after he spoke with then-People Power Party Floor Leader Chu Kyungho immediately following former President Yoon Sukyeol's declaration of martial law. The team is also looking into whether the call between Hong and Chu was related to suspicions of interfering with the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law.

However, Hong's side maintains that he was not aware of the plan to declare martial law in advance and only learned of it immediately before the announcement on the day it was made.

Additionally, the special prosecutor's team is conducting an on-site investigation of Kim Yonghyun, former Minister of National Defense, at Seoul Eastern Detention Center. It has been reported that Kim is exercising his right to remain silent in response to the team's questions. According to the special prosecutor's team, Kim submitted a written statement of non-attendance in response to a summons on September 19, but indicated that he would actively cooperate if an on-site investigation was conducted.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Park stated, "Former Minister Kim is refusing to answer all questions from the special prosecutor's team," and added, "While other military personnel are diligently cooperating with the investigation, I hope people consider what it truly means for a minister to take full responsibility."

The special prosecutor's team also announced that it is possible to conduct an on-site investigation of former President Yoon Sukyeol in connection with the inquiry scheduled for September 24. If former President Yoon expresses willingness to actively cooperate, an on-site investigation can be arranged to ensure a thorough fact-finding process.

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