Officials from the special investigation team probing the December 3 emergency martial law declaration have requested the Ministry of National Defense to assume jurisdiction over a designated case, asserting that authority resides with military courts for insurrection matters.
Meeting Highlights Transfer Push
Investigators convened a meeting with three executives and five staff members, including one chief prosecutor, two deputy chief prosecutors, and the director of the Ministry of National Defense’s personnel briefing office. During discussions on central transfer deliberations, the team emphasized that while overall case details are under review, the power to adjudicate lies firmly with military authorities.
Special Team Leader’s Rationale
The team leader explained, “Details of the case remain confidential and necessitate official justifications. The Seoul Central District full-time prosecution division possesses the capacity to conduct preliminary reviews, prompting the request to the Ministry of National Defense for transfer to the special investigation unit.”
Among the cases, the primary investigation under direct oversight by the special prosecutor allows for direct requests for official records from involved personnel. Secondary cases, managed by investigators following special directives, also permit evidence collection through formal channels.
Background on Prior Actions
Earlier, on February 5, the national special investigation division referred three executives and five staff linked to the December 3 incident to the Seoul Central District Court. Frontline prosecutors and deputy chiefs faced hearings related to arrest warrants within the second investigation unit, focusing on alleged involvement in unauthorized actions during the declaration.
