Search warrant scope limits seizure… "Investigating the connection to the emergency martial law"

The special prosecution team investigating the insurrection and foreign exchange case related to the December 3 emergency martial law has reportedly captured evidence that a large sum of cash was discovered during a police search of the home of former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min in February.

On the 3rd, it was reported that the special prosecution team (special prosecutor Jo Eun-seok) recently summoned police officials who participated in the search of the former minister's home for investigation.

Cash discovered during home search

Earlier, the National Investigation Headquarters's Emergency Martial Law Special Investigation Team conducted searches on the homes and offices of the former minister in Seoul and Sejong on February 18, concerning allegations that former President Yoon Suk-yeol had instructed the former minister to cut off the water and electricity to a specific media outlet.

At that time, a police official reportedly stated that a large amount of cash was discovered inside a bag during the investigation, but it could not be seized because it was not included in the scope of the search warrant. The warrant issued was limited to the allegations of cutting off media services.

The special prosecution team is understood to be investigating the existence, nature, and amount of the cash found at the former minister's home.

Former minister's side: "Completely unfounded… The amount kept is different from reported figures."

The former minister's side maintains that the report of cash being found is completely unfounded. They stated that they were not aware of such content during the search and that the amount being kept differs from the reported sum.

In addition, officials from the special investigation team who participated in the search also claimed that they did not mention anything regarding the cash.

The former minister's lawyer explained, "I have never kept such an amount at home," adding that "the police never mentioned anything about the scope of the search or the money."

Special prosecution team to trace funds' use and relation to emergency martial law

The special prosecution team plans to summon the former minister soon to investigate whether the cash is related to emergency martial law funds.

Additionally, the special prosecution team is also considering applying perjury charges against the former minister.

The former minister stated during former President Yoon's impeachment trial that "I have never received any note," but it has been reported that CCTV captured footage of documents being collected from a table at the presidential office on the day of the martial law.

Image source: Former Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min / News1, unrelated reference photo / gettyimagesbank