Special Prosecutor Indicts Former Coast Guard Chief Kim Joungho and Others... Han Donghun Fails to Appear as Witness

Indicted Without Detention for Aiding and Abetting Insurrection
Han Donghun Absent Without Separate Response
Special Prosecutor: “No Plan to Recall Han”

The Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor’s team, led by Kwon Changyoung, has indicted Kim Joungho, former Commissioner of the Coast Guard, and Ahn Seongsik, former Director of Planning and Coordination at the Coast Guard, on charges of participating in the 12·3 Martial Law Incident.

Kim Joungho, former Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, is attending the pretrial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News.

On August 12, the special prosecutor’s office announced that Kim and Ahn were indicted without detention on charges of aiding and abetting insurrection related to the 12·3 Martial Law Incident, as well as abuse of power by impeding the execution of official duties.

The two are accused of increasing the number of Coast Guard personnel dispatched to the Joint Investigation Headquarters during the martial law period and attempting to provide Coast Guard detention facilities. They are also charged with aiding and abetting insurrection by dispatching a Coast Guard officer to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a government liaison officer.

The special prosecutor’s team found that Kim Joungho ordered the dispatch of “at least one person” as a liaison officer, disregarding opposition from subordinates. However, as martial law was lifted before the liaison arrived at the command, the dispatch did not actually take place.

Ahn Seongsik has been suspected of amending internal regulations so that the Coast Guard would be automatically assigned to the Joint Investigation Headquarters by collaborating with the Defense Security Command since 2023. He was also found to have advocated for the review of carrying firearms and for increasing the number of staff sent to the Joint Investigation Headquarters during a nationwide video conference of commanders held after the declaration of martial law.

The special prosecutor’s office requested arrest warrants for both individuals on July 3, but the court dismissed the requests, stating that there was room for dispute regarding the criminal charges.

Meanwhile, independent lawmaker Han Donghun did not attend the special prosecutor’s scheduled witness interview on this day. The special prosecutor’s office had summoned Han to appear at 10 a.m. and explain the circumstances and discussions of the party-government-President’s Office meeting held right after the declaration of martial law on December 4, 2024.

The special prosecutor’s team suspects that, following the meeting, a gathering was held in the evening at a private residence in Samcheong-dong on the same day, where discussions were held in response to the impeachment and insurrection investigation of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Han Donghun reportedly did not submit any statement of absence or reply. The special prosecutor’s team stated, “Given that there is little time remaining in the investigation period, a recall of Representative Han is not under consideration.”

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