Seoul: Police questioned former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and two other former ministers Monday as part of their ongoing investigation into their alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt. The special police unit handling the high-profile case interrogated Han over suspicions that he gave false testimony during a National Assembly hearing in February, held in the aftermath of the Dec. 3 martial law declaration.
According to Yonhap News Agency, at the hearing, Han said he only realized he had been carrying the martial law declaration document in the back pocket of his suit after the decree was rescinded by an Assembly vote. Police have reportedly questioned Han based on their analysis of the surveillance footage from the presidential office on the night of the martial law.
Police also brought in former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min for questioning over allegations that Yoon had ordered him to cut off the power and water supply at major local media outlets, including the Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper. Lee testified earlier that Yoon did not give such orders. Both Han and Lee face insurrection charges in connection with the martial law declaration, which ultimately led to Yoon's removal from office on April 4.
Han and Lee left the National Police Agency before 9 p.m., after approximately 10 hours of questioning, while Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok's session concluded around 9:30 p.m. Choi was among the 10 Cabinet members besides Han and Lee who attended the meeting convened by Yoon.