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Ex-Justice Minister Indicted as Defense Ministry Forms New Unit in Yoon Martial Law Probe

The special counsel’s mandate is ending, prompting a shift to a Defense Ministry follow-up unit.

Overview

  • Special counsel prosecutors charged former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae with roles in an insurrection, abuse of power for ordering justification documents, and improper solicitation after alleged requests tied to Kim Keon Hee.
  • Investigators say Park directed steps to operationalize martial law, including preparing prosecutors for dispatch, checking detention capacity, and placing travel-ban officials on standby.
  • Former acting leader Choi Sang-mok was indicted for dereliction of duty over failing to fully restore Constitutional Court seats during Yoon Suk Yeol’s removal process, and he also faces a perjury count.
  • Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was indicted for dereliction related to court appointments and, along with three ex-presidential aides, for abuse of power over allegedly poorly vetted justice candidates.
  • The Defense Ministry dismissed Drone Operations Command chief Kim Yong-dae and ex-prosecution office head Kim Dong-hyuk, and it will launch a 40-member investigation team Monday to conduct follow-up inquiries.