Hwang Kyo-ahn Exercises Right to Remain Silent During Special Prosecutor's Investigation on Insurrection Incitement Charges

Special Prosecutor: "Hwang did not respond to three text messages and summons requests"
"Hwang was found to have contacted key participants in martial law in advance... Related individuals to be investigated soon"

Yonhap News Agency

The special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating charges of insurrection and treason related to the December 3 Martial Law, arrested former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on November 12.

Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young stated at a regular briefing that "at 6:55 a.m. today, we executed an arrest warrant for Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), on charges of inciting insurrection," adding, "A search and seizure warrant was also executed at the same time."

The special prosecutor's team explained that after Hwang was brought to the special prosecutor's office at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, he exercised his right to remain silent during questioning. The team added that, given the volume of prepared questions, they do not plan to conduct overnight questioning.

Previously, on October 27, the special prosecutor's team attempted to execute a search and seizure warrant at Hwang's residence, but the execution could not proceed as Hwang locked the door and supporters gathered around his home, raising safety concerns.

The team found that Hwang had failed to comply with three separate requests to appear for questioning. The special prosecutor's team notified Hwang to appear via text messages and official summons, but while Hwang read all three text messages, he did not respond, and he refused to accept the summons. Considering Hwang's refusal to cooperate with the investigation, the team obtained an arrest warrant from the court.

On December 3 last year, when former President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, Hwang posted on Facebook, "Martial law has been declared. Preventing national chaos is now the top priority," and added, "We must root out pro-North Korean Juche factions and election fraud forces that have ruined the country."

He also wrote, "The forces behind election fraud must be eradicated this time. Respond forcefully. Investigate thoroughly. Take all emergency measures. The People Power Party should stand with the President."

In connection with this, the online media outlet Seoul's Voice filed a police complaint last December against Hwang and others on charges of inciting and promoting insurrection. According to the special prosecutor law on insurrection, the special prosecutor can investigate cases involving the recommendation to declare martial law, preparation of detention facilities, murder, conspiracy, or attempts for the purpose of insurrection, as well as incitement and propaganda related to insurrection, all in connection with the December 3 Martial Law.

Special Prosecutor Park stated, "Inciting insurrection is not a minor charge. Since Hwang has served as the ruling party leader, Minister of Justice, and Prime Minister, his words and actions have a far greater social impact than those of ordinary citizens," adding, "The investigation is being conducted with these factors in mind."

The special prosecutor's team has confirmed that Hwang was in contact with key participants of the martial law in advance. Park added, "An investigation of related individuals will be conducted soon," and noted, "When we executed the first search and seizure warrant for Hwang, we also conducted simultaneous searches of related individuals."

The special prosecutor plans to review whether to request a detention warrant for Hwang as soon as the investigation is completed. A suspect who has been arrested must either have a detention warrant requested within 48 hours or be released.

Meanwhile, regarding Cho Tae-yong, the former Director of the National Intelligence Service, for whom a detention warrant was issued this morning, the special prosecutor explained that this is the first case where a violation of the reporting duty under the National Intelligence Service Act has been charged as dereliction of duty.

Special Prosecutor Park stated, "Although the Director of the National Intelligence Service is an agency directly under the President, the position requires a high degree of political neutrality, and the National Intelligence Service Act stipulates the protection of citizens' freedoms and rights," adding, "This will serve as an important precedent for clarifying the duties of the NIS Director."

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