"From someone who assisted Mrs. Kim closely,
We received testimony that Yoon and Kim had a serious fight when martial law was declared,
Implying that everything was ruined because of the martial law."
The special investigation team led by Special Prosecutor Joeun Seok, which has been investigating the December 3 Martial Law incident as a case of treason and foreign aggression, announced that they have secured testimony indicating that former President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Gunhee had a serious argument at the time martial law was declared.
At the final investigation results briefing on the 15th, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated, "There was testimony that Mrs. Kim and former President Yoon had a serious fight when martial law was declared, with the implication being 'You ruined everything.' According to someone who assisted Mrs. Kim closely, she had many thoughts of her own, but with the declaration of martial law, she said, 'Everything is ruined,' and 'Everything has fallen apart,' expressing anger at the declaration of martial law."
Former President Yoon Did Not Conspire with First Lady Kim Gunhee Regarding Martial Law, Investigation Finds
Based on this testimony and Mrs. Kim's activities on the day martial law was declared, the special investigation team concluded that former President Yoon did not conspire with Mrs. Kim regarding the declaration of martial law. Regarding suspicions about the relationship between former Army Intelligence Commander Noh Sangwon and Mrs. Kim, the team stated, "No circumstances have been found indicating the two met."
Regarding the alleged connection to the shaman known as 'Cheongong,' the team also stated, "No evidence was found in former President Yoon's call records or elsewhere indicating that Cheongong and martial law were discussed."
To verify suspicions that Mrs. Kim was involved in the martial law declaration, the special investigation team questioned the secretary who assisted her on the day martial law was declared, as well as a plastic surgeon she visited that day, to confirm her whereabouts.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park stated, "We also questioned all military personnel who attended official residence gatherings from August to November last year, but found no evidence that Mrs. Kim attended these gatherings or was involved in martial law."
She added, "Based on evidence from Telegram and other sources, there were suspicions that Mrs. Kim was significantly involved in state affairs, and the special investigation team kept these suspicions in mind during the investigation, but we could not find any evidence of her activities on the day martial law was declared. There is no evidence or testimony proving her involvement."
However, the special investigation team believes that Mrs. Kim's legal risks, such as the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations, may have had some influence on former President Yoon's decision to declare martial law.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park stated, "The motive and purpose for declaring martial law were the monopolization and maintenance of power. The risks involving Myung Taegyun and the investigation into Mrs. Kim's luxury bag were not direct causes, but I believe they may have been somewhat reflected when determining the timing of the declaration. However, they were not the main purpose or underlying factors for the declaration."