The special counsel team led by Cho Eun-seok, investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol and others on charges of rebellion and treason, began questioning former Drone Operations Command Chief Kim Yong-dae at 10 a.m. on the 18th. This is the first investigation since Kim filed a re-appeal requesting the cancellation of the special counsel team’s decision to exclude defense counsel participation. Kim is undergoing the investigation alone without his lawyer.
Upon arriving at the special counsel team’s office, Kim stated, “The special counsel team keeps insisting I did something wrong and trying to link me to emergency martial law, but I can enter alone because I have done nothing wrong,” adding, “I considered it carefully, but since I have nothing to hide, I decided it would be fine to proceed alone.”
Regarding the special counsel team’s decision to exclude defense counsel, Kim said, “I absolutely trust my lawyer.” Kim’s attorney, Lee Seung-woo, emphasized, “I have no intention of engaging in physical conflict with the special counsel team,” and stressed, “I will sufficiently prove and clarify the issues through legal appeals in accordance with South Korea’s laws and order.”
Kim’s legal team filed a re-appeal with the court on the 10th, requesting the cancellation of the special counsel team’s decision to exclude defense counsel. After the special counsel team banned the lawyer’s participation, citing alleged leaks of investigative secrets, Kim’s side challenged the decision with a provisional objection. However, the court dismissed it on the 9th. If the court rejects the re-appeal, Kim will either have to appoint a new lawyer or face the investigation without legal representation.
In the re-appeal document, Kim’s team wrote, “The appellant underwent an investigation alone on August 28 under restrictions on defense counsel participation in a case involving general treason, and was summoned again for September 18 to attend the investigation without a lawyer,” and added, “The lower court’s dismissal decision is a measure that permanently deprives the constitutional right to receive legal assistance, thereby restricting basic constitutional rights.”
They further stated, “The respondent (special counsel team) claims the appellant can appoint another lawyer or bring any lawyer, but realistically, the appellant cannot appoint lawyers who are reluctant to engage in politically sensitive investigations supported by the special counsel team or share its judgments. Additionally, the appellant cannot appoint lawyers willing to bear the burden of the special counsel team’s investigation, nor can they build a trust-based relationship to discuss case specifics and defense strategies, as they are not permitted to review the suspect interrogation records.”
Meanwhile, Kim reportedly enters the investigation alone, takes notes during questioning, discusses the case with his lawyer during lunch breaks, returns alone for afternoon sessions, and repeats this process, discussing the day’s proceedings with his lawyer in the evening.
