“The speed of the investigation is crazy”… Special investigation team raided the home of former ‘acting president’ Han Duck-soo.

Search and Seizure at Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's Residence Related to the December 3 Martial Law

The Special Investigation Team (Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok) has initiated a compulsory investigation against former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in connection with the December 3 martial law crisis, related to allegations of insurrection and foreign exchange violations.

On the morning of the 24th, the special investigation team dispatched investigators to Mr. Han's residence located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to execute a search warrant.

Image 1

Former Prime Minister Han is accused of signing a false declaration document for the martial law that was prepared after the martial law was declared, along with former President Yoon Suk-yeol and former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun.

In particular, as former Minister Kim was urgently arrested and the investigation intensified, it is reported that former Prime Minister Han contacted former Secretary-General Kang Gi-koo, requesting, "If it becomes known that a document was created afterward, it could lead to further disputes, so let's disregard my signature."

Investigation of Charges Related to the Preparation and Destruction of False Official Documents

In response, former President Yoon approved Kang's request, stating, "If that is the Prime Minister's intention, then do so," and ultimately, Kang disposed of the martial law declaration document that had Han's signature.

However, prior to the declaration of martial law on December 3, former Prime Minister Han had opposed it in a Cabinet meeting, arguing that it did not meet substantive and procedural requirements, and claimed he had not signed the document, creating inconsistencies in his statements.

Image 2

The special investigation team has determined that former Prime Minister Han may also be implicated in one of former President Yoon's charges regarding the preparation of a post-declaration document (false official document preparation, violation of the Presidential Records Act, destruction of public documents).

When seeking an arrest warrant for former President Yoon on the 6th, the special investigation team specifically stated that former Prime Minister Han was an accomplice in the preparation and destruction of a post-declaration martial law document, aimed at concealing defects in the martial law declaration process.

Investigation into the Credibility of Testimonies in National Assembly

Additionally, the special investigation team is investigating the possibility that former Prime Minister Han's testimony, stating he was not aware of the martial law declaration in the National Assembly, was false.

On February 6, during a National Assembly session, former Prime Minister Han testified, "I had no awareness until the Cabinet meeting to lift the martial law, and later found it in my suit jacket's back pocket." He also stated during the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of former President Yoon on the 20th of the same month, "I really do not remember when and how I received (the martial law document)."

As the special investigation into the manipulation and destruction of documents related to martial law expands to former Prime Minister Han, the overall circumstances of the December 3 incident are expected to become clearer.

Image source: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo / News1, News1