Former Military Intelligence Chief Under Investigation for Coup Allegations

On December 12, 2024, the Special Investigation Headquarters, led by Chief Prosecutor Park Se-hyun of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, summoned former Director of the Defense Security Command, Yeon In-hyung, as a suspect in connection with the December 3 emergency martial law incident. This follows Yeon's previous questioning just two days earlier on December 10.

Yeon In-hyung attended a full meeting of the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee on December 7, where he faced scrutiny. The Special Investigation Headquarters also interrogated other mid-level officials from the Defense Security Command, including Jeong Seong-woo, former head of the first department, and Na Seung-min, head of the Security and Safety Office. Jeong testified before the National Assembly's Defense Committee that Yeon had ordered the copying of servers from the Central Election Management Commission. Na is suspected of being involved in drafting the martial law proclamation.

Additionally, Hong Jang-won, former first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, was summoned as a witness on the same day. He revealed that Yeon had requested the tracking of key political figures, including Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, and Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly.

The investigation aims to verify allegations that Yeon, under the direction of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, ordered the deployment of Defense Security Command personnel to the National Assembly and the Central Election Management Commission, and attempted to detain prominent figures such as Lee and Han.

In a related development, the Special Investigation Headquarters also summoned Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Gyu-hong as a suspect for questioning. Reports indicate that investigators are inquiring about President Yoon Suk-yeol's remarks during the Cabinet meeting prior to the declaration of martial law on December 3, as well as the overall process of the martial law declaration.