Special Committee on Internal Affairs 'Detention Center Hearing' Kim Yong-hyun Noncompliance... Ruling Party All Absent

On the 5th, Ahn Kyu-baek, the chairman, presided over the meeting of the "Special Committee for the National Investigation on the Truth of the Insurrection Charges through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Government" held at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul. On this day, former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and ruling party lawmakers were absent. Photo by Yonhap News

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The National Assembly's "Special Committee for the Investigation of the Truth Behind the Charge of Rebellion through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration" visited the Seoul Eastern Detention Center in Songpa-gu on the morning of the 5th to hold an on-site hearing, but former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun did not attend, citing preparations for trial and other reasons. The special committee decided to take legal action against former Minister Kim.

At the on-site hearing, Representative Han Byung-do stated, "Former Minister Kim is the actual commander of the rebellion who conspired in advance with the ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol, took the lead in execution, and directly drafted the proclamation order," adding, "His absence from the special committee is an act of denying the truth."

Former Minister Kim had also been absent from the first hearing held on the 22nd of last month and the second hearing held the day before.

Choi Kyu-cheol, director of the Seoul Eastern Detention Center, said, "We met with inmate Kim Yong-hyun to persuade him to participate in the on-site national investigation and spoke with him, but he is firmly refusing," adding, "He is busy preparing for trial and is strongly declining, so we cannot force him."

He further added, "Just now, his attorney came for a visit, and it is expected that he will enter the attorney meeting."

Chairman Ahn expressed, "As the chairman, I cannot help but express deep regret over the rude attitude of the witness who disregards public opinion and the authority of the National Assembly."

He continued, "Regarding the witness who refuses the subpoena to the hearing and does not appear, after consultation among the secretaries, we will take legal action for contempt of the National Assembly at the plenary session next week."

No members of the People Power Party attended the on-site hearing that day.

Democratic Party Representative Baek Hye-ryun said, "It is truly regrettable that not a single People Power Party member attended the normal activities of the special committee's on-site investigation," adding, "I cannot help but ask again whether they are sympathizing with martial law."

From the Democratic Party, Special Committee Chairman Ahn Kyu-baek, Representatives Han Byung-do, Chu Mi-ae, Min Hong-chul, Baek Hye-ryun, Kim Byung-joo, and Basic Income Party Representative Yong Hye-in attended, but all members of the People Power Party were absent.

Representative Park Seon-won said, "The People Power Party is effectively boycotting the rebellion investigation because they can no longer exploit the 'fraudulent election' narrative," adding, "Their absence from the most important witness on-site investigation means they are either defending or sympathizing with the rebellion and intend to continue doing so."

The special committee plans to visit the Seoul Detention Center where President Yoon Seok-yeol is incarcerated and the pretrial detention center of the Capital Defense Command where former Commander of the Defense Counterintelligence Command Yeo In-hyung is held, to conduct on-site inspections, question detained witnesses, and interview related personnel.

It is expected that key witnesses, including President Yoon, will also refuse to participate in the on-site investigation.

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