Special Prosecutor on Insurrection Extends Investigation for Second Time... "Park Sungjae Considered Flight Risk Over Evidence Destruction"

Extended by 30 Days Until the 14th of Next Month
Further Extension Possible Until Mid-December
Special Prosecutor Requests Arrest Warrant for Park Sungjae

The special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating allegations of insurrection and treason related to the declaration of martial law, has decided to extend the investigation period for a second time.

Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young briefing. Photo by Yonhap News

On October 10, Special Prosecutor Park Jiyeong announced at a regular briefing, "The special prosecutor has decided on a second extension of the investigation period in accordance with Article 10, Paragraph 3 of the Special Prosecutor Act on Insurrection, and has reported this to the President and the National Assembly."

With this second extension, the investigation period will now expire on the 14th of next month. As the amendment to the Special Prosecutor Act passed in the National Assembly, the special prosecutor team can extend the investigation until mid-December at the latest. The team began its investigation on June 18 of this year.

"Park Sungjae: Arrest Warrant Requested Based on Evidence of Crime and Concerns Over Destruction of Evidence"

Regarding the arrest warrant requested the previous day for former Minister of Justice Park Sungjae on charges including participation in important insurrection-related duties, Special Prosecutor Park stated, "It is difficult to explain the specific charges." She added, "Basically, we determined that there is evidence supporting the criminal allegations and that there are various circumstances raising concerns over the possible destruction of evidence."

Special Prosecutor Park explained, "To ensure fairness in the investigation of the former minister, the team has been led from the outset by Special Prosecutor Lee Yoonjae, who served on the Legal and Prosecutorial Reform Committee. The investigation has also involved prosecutors from the Corruption Investigation Office, police officers, and military prosecutors." She added, "This team will also be responsible for future investigations involving officials from the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution."

Minister of Justice Park Sungjae attended the plenary session of the National Assembly on April 16, where questions on education, social, and cultural sectors were conducted, responding to questions from Democratic Party lawmaker Baek Hyeryun. 2025.04.16 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Former Minister Park is suspected of convening a senior officials' meeting at the Ministry of Justice after the declaration of martial law last year, instructing a review of dispatching prosecutors to the Joint Investigation Headquarters, and ordering those in charge of immigration work to remain on standby to prevent key political figures and other main targets from leaving the country. He is also alleged to have instructed the Corrections Bureau of the Ministry of Justice to check for available space to detain those arrested.

Regarding the schedule for summoning former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Taeyong, who faces charges including dereliction of duty, Special Prosecutor Park said, "It has been agreed that he will appear before the special prosecutor next week," adding, "It is our principle not to disclose the specific schedule."