내란특검은 ‘핵심 증인’, 종합특검은 ‘내란범’…엇갈린 판단에 공소유지 우려

During the emergency state on December 3rd, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by former President Yoon Suk-yeol, under the guidance of Special Special Investigation Team leader Gu Kang-young, brought key figures to trial. These individuals, who were once considered 'core witnesses' by the core investigation team, were instead charged with 'civilians involved in the coup' by the comprehensive investigation team.

This discrepancy in judgment could impact the ongoing trials of previous coup cases, raising concerns about the preservation of evidence in such proceedings. According to an investigation by the Chosun Ilbo, the comprehensive investigation team charged Vice Admiral Hong Chang-won, former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Chief, and General Choi Sung-hyun, former commander of the 1st Military District, with involvement in critical duties during the coup.

Specifically, the comprehensive team found that General Choi's actions did not warrant inclusion in the case, while the core team did. The comprehensive team's decision was based on the belief that the General was aware of the illegality of emergency state measures but still mobilized troops to the National Assembly. General Choi, however, repeatedly challenged the veracity of the General's statements during his trial, claiming that the General had instructed him to "bring National Assembly members into the National Assembly" and later changed his mind to "deploy special forces externally" after being advised that the operation posed issues.

This inconsistency in the General's statements was further confirmed by his subordinate, who recounted the General's instructions to bring National Assembly members to the National Assembly and the General's subsequent change in instructions.