Prosecutors Transfer President Yoon's 'Rebellion Charges' Case to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency [Comprehensive]

Former Minister Lee Sang-min's Case Also Transferred

Other Suspects' Requests Withdrawn by the Agency

"Discussion on Additional Summoning Procedures for President Yoon Underway"

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivering a public address at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 7th. /Photo=Presidential Office

The prosecutors investigating the 'December 3 Martial Law Incident' are transferring the 'rebellion charges' case involving President Yoon Suk-yeol and former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HOCIA).

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced on the 18th that they made this decision after discussions with HOCIA regarding the agency's request for case transfer, which included measures to prevent duplicate investigations.

As a result of the discussions, HOCIA will receive the case involving President Yoon and former Minister Lee from the Special Investigation Headquarters for Martial Law (headed by Park Se-hyun, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office) and will conduct the investigation. The request to transfer the cases of other suspects has been withdrawn by HOCIA.

After the martial law incident occurred, the prosecutors, police, and HOCIA received numerous complaints and began simultaneous investigations. On the 8th, HOCIA requested the transfer of the case to the prosecutors and police.

According to the HOCIA Act, the prosecutors and police must comply if the head of HOCIA deems it appropriate to request the transfer of a duplicate case, considering the progress and fairness of the investigation.

While the three agencies were in discussions, HOCIA formed a joint investigation headquarters with the National Police Agency and requested the transfer of the case again on the 13th.

On the 16th, the police sent the cases involving President Yoon, former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo (former Martial Law Commander), Director of the Defense Security Command Yeo In-hyung, and former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min to HOCIA.

However, the prosecutors continued their own investigation, and concerns about investigation confusion grew as the agencies repeatedly summoned President Yoon.

Following the discussions, the summoning investigation of President Yoon will be conducted by HOCIA for now.

However, HOCIA does not have the authority to directly prosecute President Yoon, so after the investigation, the case must be transferred back to the prosecutors.

HOCIA can only directly prosecute judges, prosecutors, or police officers of superintendent rank or higher.

Reporter Roh Jung-dong, Hankyung.com dong2@hankyung.com