Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Extends Investigation Period for Final Time... Former Counterintelligence Chief Yeo Inhyeong Arrested Over "Blacklist" Allegations

Second Extension of Investigation Period Approved... Extended Until July 24

Yeo Inhyeong Forcibly Brought In for Questioning

The investigation period for the second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Team led by Kwon Changyoung, which is probing unresolved allegations following the three major special prosecutor cases, has been extended until July 24.

Changyoung Kwon, Special Prosecutor. Photo by Yonhap News

On June 23, the special prosecutor's office announced to the media, "President Lee Jaemyung approved the request for an extension of the investigation period yesterday."

With this second extension, the investigation period is now set to expire on July 24. The comprehensive special prosecutor team, which was launched in February, had already received one extension last month. According to the Special Prosecutor Act, the original investigation period of 90 days can be extended by 60 days, allowing for a maximum of 150 days of investigation.

Additionally, on the same day, the special prosecutor's office forcibly brought in former Defense Counterintelligence Command chief Yeo Inhyeong in connection with allegations that the Counterintelligence Command had created a so-called "blacklist."

The special prosecutor's office stated, "We have arrested and transferred former commander Yeo, who is currently detained at Seoul Detention Center, and are conducting an investigation as a suspect in connection with the Counterintelligence Command blacklist allegations."

Former commander Yeo is accused of compiling a list of military personnel linked to the current ruling party during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and unfairly using this list to disadvantage them in personnel decisions and other matters.

The documents prepared by the Counterintelligence Command are said to have included personal information such as the hometowns, political leanings, and ties to the ruling party of both active and retired Army, Navy, and Air Force generals. It has been confirmed that the Counterintelligence Command used this information to draft promotion and assignment reports for generals, intelligence reports, and personnel review documents for retired generals, which were then submitted to the presidential office and other authorities.

Previously, in February, former Army Legal Office Director Kim Sanghwan, who was reportedly included in the list, filed a complaint against former commander Yeo and others for abuse of authority.

Former commander Yeo has also been indicted and is currently on trial for engaging in major insurrection-related duties concerning the 12·3 Martial Law Incident. He was also indicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison in the first trial for his involvement in the Pyongyang drone infiltration operation, which was prepared and executed approximately three months prior to the martial law incident.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.