Special Prosecutor Requests Arrest Warrant for Choo Kyungho over Alleged Obstruction of Martial Law Lift Resolution

Charged with "Performing Key Duties Related to Insurrection"
Special Prosecutor Cites "Seriousness of the Crime and Concerns About Destruction of Evidence"

Former Floor Leader of the People Power Party, Choo Kyung-ho, is arriving at the Special Prosecutor's Office for Internal Affairs in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 30th.

The Special Prosecutor's Office for Internal Affairs (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok) has requested an arrest warrant for former Floor Leader of the People Power Party, Choo Kyungho, in connection with allegations of obstructing the resolution to lift martial law.

On November 3 at around 4 p.m., the special prosecutor's team applied for an arrest warrant for Choo on charges of performing key duties related to insurrection. The team stated that the seriousness of the crime and concerns about the destruction of evidence were the reasons for seeking the warrant.

Choo is suspected of having obstructed other lawmakers from participating in the vote to lift martial law on December 3 of last year, by repeatedly changing the location of the party caucus at the request of former President Yoon Sukyeol's side. After the declaration of martial law, Choo convened an emergency party caucus and changed the location three times: from the National Assembly to the party headquarters, back to the National Assembly, and then again to the party headquarters.

The special prosecutor's team has also obtained records showing that Choo communicated with former President Yoon and others immediately after the declaration of martial law. While traveling from his home to the National Assembly, Choo reportedly called former Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Cheolho and former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo in succession, and then also spoke with former President Yoon.

Previously, on October 30, the special prosecutor's team summoned Choo as a suspect on charges of performing key duties related to insurrection and abuse of power, and questioned him. The investigation, including review of the written statement, lasted about 23 hours.

The special prosecutor's team stated that it had asked all the prepared questions during Choo's interrogation, and that there were no plans for additional summons, leaving open the possibility of requesting an arrest warrant.

During the investigation, Choo reportedly wrote in detail by hand the parts he wished to add to his testimony, and thoroughly reviewed the written statement.

After completing the investigation, Choo told reporters, "I have explained in detail the facts that occurred on the day martial law was declared," and added, "I urge the administration to stop political oppression and retaliation, and to focus on the livelihood of the people."

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