Special Counsel Indicts Ex-PM Hwang Kyo-ahn Without Detention on Insurrection Incitement Charges

The special counsel investigating allegations related to the December 3 martial law crisis has indicted former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn without detention.

The special counsel announced Wednesday that Hwang was indicted on charges including insurrection incitement, obstruction of special public duty execution, and violations of the special counsel law.

Hwang is accused of inciting insurrection by posting on his social media account shortly after martial law was declared, as the National Assembly moved to vote on lifting the emergency measure. His posts stated: "Arrest National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. Also arrest People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who is directly obstructing the president's measures," and "We must eradicate the pro-North Korea forces and election fraud forces that have destroyed this country."

The special counsel team believes Hwang, who previously served as justice minister, ruling party leader, and prime minister, deliberately incited insurrection despite being fully aware that the martial law declaration was unlawful.

The special counsel conducted search and seizure operations at Hwang's residence on October 27 and 31, but Hwang locked his doors and strongly resisted. He also claimed to his supporters that the warrant execution was illegal.

The special counsel summoned Hwang three times through text messages and written notices, but he refused to comply with all requests. The special counsel subsequently obtained an arrest warrant and apprehended Hwang at his residence.

However, Seoul Central District Court Senior Judge Park Jung-ho rejected the detention warrant, ruling that "the necessity for detention is insufficient, and there is inadequate justification for detention grounds such as flight risk or concerns about evidence destruction."