Insurrection Special Counsel Requests Comprehensive Special Counsel to Investigate Yonghyun Kim for 'Perjury in Yoon Trial'

A Two-Year Prison Sentence Sought for Yoon on Similar Charges

The special investigation team on insurrection, led by Cho Eunseok, has requested that the second comprehensive special investigation team under Kwon Changyoung investigate former Minister of National Defense Yonghyun Kim on suspicion of perjury.

Kim Yonghyun, former Minister of National Defense. Photo provided by the Constitutional Court via Yonhap News Agency

On May 13, the special investigation team explained, "In the process of maintaining the indictment in the case involving special obstruction of official duties by defendant Yoon Sukyeol, we determined that former Minister Kim's testimony may constitute perjury."

Previously, former Minister Kim appeared as a witness in the appellate trial of former President Yoon Sukyeol, who was charged with 'obstructing arrest,' and testified to the effect that "the President and I intended to convene a Cabinet meeting before the declaration of the 12·3 martial law."

The special investigation team determined that such testimony by Minister Kim was false. According to the investigators, former President Yoon had no plan to convene a Cabinet meeting, but convened one at the suggestion of former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo in order to create an 'appearance of legality.'

Earlier, the first trial court in the case against former President Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection also found that, regarding the circumstances of the Cabinet meeting before the declaration of martial law, "Han Ducksoo, upon hearing about the martial law declaration plan from Yoon Sukyeol, suggested to Yoon that a Cabinet meeting be convened." The special investigation team also indicted former President Yoon on similar charges of perjury, and at the sentencing hearing held on April 16, sought a two-year prison sentence.

The special investigation team stated, "We will continue to respond strictly in accordance with law and principle to crimes such as perjury during the prosecution of insurrection and treason cases."

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