The second full-scale Special Counsel (Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young) questioned former National Intelligence Service First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won as a suspect on the 22nd regarding claims of ‘messages supporting martial law’.
This is the first instance where former Deputy Director Hong has come under investigation by the Special Counsel.
Previous Deputy Director Hong reached the Special Counsel’s office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, approximately 9:53 a.m. on that day. He mentioned, “I was unexpectedly charged and received a summons without any prior investigation or notice from the Special Counsel. Although the night of December 3rd was lengthy, it was only one night. No matter how I think about it, I don’t believe I did anything that would raise concerns.”
Hong is facing allegations of involvement in the National Intelligence Service’s communication of messages that justified the imposition of martial law to key allied nations, including the United States, right after the announcement of the December 3rd emergency martial law (participating in crucial activities associated with an insurrection). The Special Counsel believes that, under the guidance of former NIS Director Cho Tae-yong, the overseas department led by Hong provided ‘external explanation documents’ concerning the emergency martial law to the CIA, and that Hong received updates and gave approval for this process.
Hong rejects all allegations. He said, “I was never given orders by former Director Cho to convey messages supporting martial law,” and added, “If you think about whether former Director Cho was in a position to issue such instructions, common sense suggests otherwise.” Concerning the ‘external explanation materials’ taken by the Special Prosecutor, he repeatedly denied the accusations, stating, “I am unaware of what they are referring to, as it has not been clearly defined.”
When questioned by journalists about the court’s dismissal of his testimony concerning the “arrest of politicians” during the first trial sentence of former Director Cho the day before, he stated, “Whether to accept or reject is up to the court, and I don’t believe it’s a matter for me to comment on.”
Former Deputy Director Hong served as a crucial witness during the investigations and impeachment proceedings that followed the emergency martial law. He had previously provided testimony before the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly, claiming that he received a call from former President Yoon Suk-yeol right after the imposition of martial law, directing the arrest of politicians. Hong’s account was accepted as factual during former President Yoon’s impeachment trial and the initial court case concerning allegations of being the ‘leader of the insurrection’.
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