Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok's team conducted a raid on former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of July 24. This forceful investigation comes 22 days after Han appeared before the special prosecution team on July 2 for a 14-hour intensive questioning session.
Launch of Forceful Investigation into Key Figure from Emergency Martial Law Period
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo served as a crucial figure during former President Yoon Seok-yeol's December 3 emergency martial law declaration. The special prosecution is investigating Han on charges of performing important duties in the insurrection, along with perjury charges.
This raid signals that the special prosecution is intensifying its forceful investigation into key figures related to the emergency martial law incident. The team appears to be seeking documentary evidence and communication records related to the martial law situation from Han's residence.
Core Issues in the Charges of Performing Important Duties in Insurrection
The key issue regarding the charges against Han centers on what role he played during the emergency martial law declaration. The special prosecution is trying to determine whether Han went beyond passively acquiescing to the martial law and was actively involved in the process.
Legal experts suggest that if Han, as Prime Minister, failed to exercise his authority and responsibility to prevent or nullify the emergency martial law declaration, this alone could constitute grounds for insurrection-related charges.
Perjury Charges Also Under Investigation
The special prosecution is also pursuing perjury charges against Han. This suggests that some of his statements about the emergency martial law made before the National Assembly or investigative agencies may differ from the facts.
During the July 2 special prosecution questioning, Han may have minimized his role in the martial law declaration process or given ambiguous answers about his prior knowledge of the situation. The prosecution plans to verify Han's statements based on materials secured through this raid.
Future Investigation Prospects and Political Ramifications
This raid demonstrates that the special prosecution is intensifying its investigation to uncover the full truth about the emergency martial law incident. With the forceful investigation of Han Duck-soo now underway, investigations into other high-ranking officials who played key roles during the martial law are expected to accelerate.
In particular, the investigation into former President Yoon Seok-yeol is expected to gain momentum. Yoon received a summons today (24th) as the alleged ringleader of the insurrection but has remained silent so far.
Political circles view this raid as a potential turning point in uncovering the truth about the emergency martial law incident. The opposition insists on thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible, while the ruling party maintains that the investigation should proceed fairly while maintaining political neutrality.
An Important Process for Restoring Constitutional Order
Legal experts evaluate that this investigation carries significance beyond individual punishment, serving the greater purpose of restoring constitutional order. They emphasize that clarifying how a constitutional emergency like martial law occurred and who should bear responsibility is essential for preventing similar incidents in the future.
One constitutional scholar explained, "The Prime Minister is an important constitutional institution that checks and balances the President's exercise of power. Determining what role the Prime Minister played in a critical situation like emergency martial law holds great significance in constitutional history."
Citizens' Right to Know and Truth-Finding
This investigation is also important from the perspective of citizens' right to know. Citizens need to understand how the unprecedented emergency martial law occurred and what roles each constitutional institution played in the process.
Civil society organizations emphasize that the special prosecution must conduct its investigation solely according to law and justice without political considerations. They also insist that investigation results should be transparently disclosed, and those responsible should receive appropriate punishment.
Public attention is focused on how the special prosecution's investigation will develop and how much truth about the emergency martial law incident will be revealed.
Original article: https://trendy.storydot.kr/politics/prosecution-raids-han-duck-soo-home-martial-law-investigation
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