Yoon Seok-yeol's Associates Reverse Statements, Independent Counsel Investigation Gains Momentum

Former President Yoon Seok-yeol's aides are reversing their previous statements, leading to a new phase in the independent counsel investigation.

Key figures who had previously provided statements favorable to Yoon have changed their positions to offer unfavorable testimonies, accelerating the ongoing special prosecutor investigation.

Within a month of the appointment of the special prosecutor, decisive testimonies from key figures in the Yoon Seok-yeol administration have been secured, and investigations involving related parties are being rapidly conducted.

According to the legal community on the 13th, former Chief of Security Kim Seong-hoon, known as a 'hardline loyalist' within the Presidential Security Service, recently reversed his statements made to previous investigative agencies during the special prosecutor's inquiry.

He had previously denied allegations related to obstructing Yoon's arrest, but it is reported that during the special prosecutor's investigation, which the legal team representing Yoon did not participate in, he changed his testimony to suggest acknowledgment of Yoon's wrongdoing.

The arrest warrant requested by the independent counsel for former President Yoon includes specific remarks that Yoon allegedly directed Kim, such as "The police are not skilled; the security personnel fire much better," and "You need to show that you have a weapon."

Additionally, the special prosecutor has confirmed that Yoon called Kim three times instructing him to delete records from a secure phone, stating, "It shouldn't be easy to see; that's a secure phone. Take care of it." This information would be difficult to ascertain without Kim's testimony.

Frequent Reversal of Positions by Key Figures in Yoon Seok-yeol's Administration, Investigative Momentum for the Special Prosecutor

Former Chief Kim Seong-hoon is seen as a representative figure among the 'hardline loyalists' within the Presidential Security Service, having played a major role in thwarting the arrest of former President Yoon by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in January.

During his tenure, he was close to both former President Yoon and First Lady Kim Gun-hee, even leading birthday celebration events for them.

During the impeachment trial, he had claimed, "The greatest honor for a security officer is to sacrifice their life for the president's safety," refusing to make unfavorable statements against Yoon during police and prosecution investigations. However, it is reported that he changed his stance during the special prosecutor's inquiry after the impeachment.

The special prosecutor's team emphasized changes in Kim's attitude in their arguments for the necessity of Yoon's arrest.

The team stated, "During the initial police investigation involving defense attorneys for the suspect, Kim provided statements favorable to the suspect, but only began to testify about the wrongdoing after the lawyers were no longer present," adding, "There is a very high possibility that the suspect may attempt to influence or pressure Kim into reversing his statement."

Kim is not the only individual to change their position.

Former Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo of the National Security Office, a key aide to the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, also recently testified for the first time that he witnessed the 'VIP anger rumor' during the investigation of the deceased Marine special prosecutor.

The 'VIP anger rumor' alleges that former President Yoon furious during a presidential office meeting on July 31, 2023, upon receiving a report about the investigation into the death of Corporal Chae Sang-byeong, and called then-Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop to reprimand him, leading to a delay in the police case transfer and changes to the investigation results.

Thus far, testimonies related to the VIP anger rumor had only been conveyed secondhand, but Kim, who attended the meeting at the time, disclosed direct observations to the special prosecutor.

He reportedly stated, "Former President Yoon received a one-page report on Corporal Chae's death from former Defense Secretary Lim Gi-hoon and raised his voice in anger immediately after."

This testimony from Kim contrasts sharply with his statements made a year ago during a National Assembly operations committee meeting, where he asserted that there was no report on the incident during the meeting and that Yoon had never shown any anger.

He had kept this fact concealed for nearly two years before revealing new information during the special prosecutor's investigation.

The special prosecutor plans to summon former National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong and former Defense Secretary Lim Gi-hoon, who also attended the meeting at that time, for questioning soon.

Former President Yoon has shown visible discomfort as his once-loyal aides begin to provide unfavorable testimonies to the special prosecutor.

During a previous arrest warrant hearing, it was reported that Yoon expressed his feelings, stating, "I have fallen into an isolated situation," and added, "Cabinet members have left to find their own paths, and I am having difficulties securing a lawyer."

Meanwhile, various special prosecutor teams are looking to utilize the newly secured testimonies from Yoon's aides as leverage for future investigations and are accelerating their inquiries, taking into account the potential for additional testimonies.

Image sources: Former Chief of Security Kim Seong-hoon / News1, Kim Seong-hoon, the Chief of Security, providing protection to First Lady Kim Gun-hee near the main entrance of Acro Vista in Seocho-gu, Seoul on April 11. / News1, Former Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo of the National Security Office / News1, Kim Tae-hyo, the former Deputy Director of the National Security Office, facing investigation on charges related to abuse of authority, arriving to the special prosecutor's office for deceased Marines on the afternoon of the 11th in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The special prosecution team investigating the allegations related to the Marine incident plans to intensively question Kim about the content of the senior secretary meeting where the so-called 'VIP anger rumor' emerged on July 31, 2023. / News1