Park Seongjae's Warrant for 'Martial Law Participation' and Hwang Kyoahn's for 'Rebellion Incitement' Dismissed... Special Prosecutor: "Difficult to Accept Hwang's Case"

"Room for Dispute Over Charges Against Park"
"Insufficient Grounds for Hwang's Detention"
Special Investigation Team's Deadline Set for December 14
Special Prosecutor: "Respecting Court's Decision... Will Discuss Next Steps"

The special investigation team on rebellion, led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok, which is probing charges of rebellion and treason related to the December 3 Martial Law, has once again failed to secure the custody of Park Seongjae, former Minister of Justice, who is suspected of participating in the rebellion. As the detention warrant for Hwang Kyoahn, former Prime Minister, who faces charges including incitement of rebellion, was also dismissed in succession, analysts say the special investigation team may lose momentum in its probe. The team's investigation deadline is set for December 14.

Seongjae Park, former Minister of Justice, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Court on the 13th for a detention warrant hearing. 2025.11.13 Photo by Dongju Yoon

According to the legal community on November 14, Nam Sejin, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, dismissed the detention warrant for the former minister after a substantive warrant review the previous day, stating, "There is still room for dispute over the charges, and it is necessary to ensure sufficient opportunity for defense while not in custody." Despite conducting a more intensive supplementary investigation after the first failed attempt to secure custody last month, the special investigation team now faces the likelihood that Park will be handed over for trial without detention, as the court has once again sided with him.

Park Jeongho, another judge in charge of warrants at the same court who conducted the substantive warrant review for the former prime minister, also dismissed the detention warrant early that morning, stating, "There is insufficient substantiation of the grounds for detention." Hwang is expected to be investigated without being taken into custody.

In response, the special investigation team expressed regret, saying, "It is difficult to accept." Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated at a briefing that day, "The court's decisions must be respected, and we do respect them," but added, "It is difficult to accept the court's judgment that there is insufficient necessity for the detention of the former prime minister, who has denied the execution of warrants and other criminal justice procedures issued by the court."

She continued, "Refusing to comply with search and seizure and mobilizing supporters to block it are acts that indicate concerns about evidence destruction," and added, "Based on the results of forensic analysis of mobile phones collected through the execution of search and seizure warrants, and investigations into those contacted around the time of the alleged incitement, we will decide on the next steps."

Regarding the former prime minister, the special investigation team plans to determine its course of action after reviewing the reasons for dismissal and holding internal discussions. Deputy Special Prosecutor Park stated, "I believe there was a bit more substantiation regarding the awareness of illegality compared to the first warrant request," but added, "However, the former minister's side is strongly denying the additional criminal charges. I believe this is somewhat different from the first dismissal."

The special investigation team is now expected to focus all efforts on securing the custody of Choo Kyungho, former floor leader of the People Power Party, who remains a key suspect in the rebellion investigation, while also considering whether to reapply for warrants for the two individuals. The motion for consent to arrest Choo, who is accused of obstructing the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law, was reported to the plenary session the previous day and will be put to a vote on the 27th. The court's warrant review could take place as early as the end of this month.

Meanwhile, regarding former President Yoon Sukyeol, whose detention period is set to expire in January next year, the special investigation team plans to submit an opinion to the court requesting the issuance of a detention warrant as the deadline approaches. Deputy Special Prosecutor Park explained, "Since we have indicted him for general rebellion and abuse of power, we will submit our opinion for a warrant request on those grounds," and added, "Not only our special investigation team, but also the teams led by Kim Keonhee and Chae Sangbyeong are likely to submit requests for warrants as the detention deadlines approach."

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