Arrest Warrant Issued for South Korean Intelligence Chief Over Emergency Martial Law Planning

On December 20, it was announced that the High-ranking Officials Crime Investigation Office (공수처), in collaboration with the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters and the Ministry of National Defense's Investigation Headquarters, has filed for an arrest warrant against Major General Moon Sang-ho (문상호), the head of South Korea's Intelligence Command. He is suspected of being involved in the premeditated planning of the 'Emergency Martial Law' declared on December 3, including attending a controversial meeting dubbed the 'Lotte Ria Gathering.'

The 공수처 received a case referral from the special investigation team of the National Police Agency regarding allegations of insurrection against Major General Moon. An arrest warrant was issued on December 17, and he was apprehended around 12:20 PM on December 18. Following his arrest, he was interrogated until December 19, just before the expiration of the detention period, when the warrant for his arrest was formally requested.

Investigators believe that the Intelligence Command acted as a private organization for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun (김용현) during the martial law. Analysis of Kim's encrypted phone records revealed multiple communications with Major General Moon prior to the declaration of martial law, indicating preparations for the emergency measures.

On the night of the martial law declaration, at approximately 10:31 PM, military personnel from the Intelligence Command were involved in photographing internal equipment at the Central Election Commission. A source from the special investigation team stated, 'Major General Moon appears to have played a key operational role in the martial law, following directives from former Minister Kim, including the deployment of troops to the Election Commission and preparing a team to arrest members of the National Assembly.'

It has also come to light that Major General Moon met with former Intelligence Command Chief Noh Sang-won (노상원), who has been arrested, on December 1 at a Lotte Ria fast-food restaurant in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. They, along with two other colonels from the Intelligence Command, reportedly held a meeting to prepare for the martial law. Noh was arrested on December 18.

In connection with this, the attorney for Colonel Kim, who attended the meeting, issued a public apology and statement, acknowledging his client's wrongdoing and expressing regret to the public. The attorney noted that Colonel Kim has since confessed to all facts regarding his judgment and actions during the investigation, contrary to his initial stance.