The second comprehensive special counsel team, which is examining remaining allegations following three earlier special counsel investigations, has booked former Fire Commissioner Heo Seok-gon as a suspect on insurrection charges in connection with allegations of cutting off power and water supply to media outlets.
"We have booked Fire Commissioner Heo Seok-gon, who received a suspended indictment from the insurrection special counsel, on charges of engaging in important duties for insurrection," Special Prosecutor Kim Ji-mi said at a regular briefing held at the special counsel office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday.
The special counsel team has been questioning the former commissioner since 2 p.m. that day in connection with allegations that power and water supplies to media outlets were cut off under instructions from former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.
Heo is suspected of receiving instructions from former Minister Lee shortly after the declaration of martial law to the effect that "around 24:00, police will be deployed to Hankyoreh, Kyunghyang Shinmun, MBC, JTBC, and Voice of the People (Yeoron Josa Kkot). When the National Police Agency requests cooperation on cutting off power and water, take action accordingly." He is also accused of relaying these instructions to then-Fire Agency Deputy Commissioner Lee Young-pal.
The special counsel team is also coordinating additional questioning of former National Intelligence Service (NIS) First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won in connection with allegations of conveying messages to justify martial law. The team is investigating whether Hong, who was responsible for overseas affairs, was involved as the NIS attempted to convey messages by contacting the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the martial law period. The team conducted its first round of questioning of Hong on the 22nd.
Former Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki and former Senior Secretary for General Affairs Yoon Jae-soon, who were arrested over allegations of misappropriating budget related to the relocation of the presidential residence, were also questioned for the first time since their detention on the same day. The special counsel also plans to summon former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo for questioning on the 27th.
