Ex-Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung appears for first martial law probe questioning

Former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung appeared before a special prosecutor's team on Tuesday for the first time as a suspect, facing allegations related to the martial law declared in December 2022.

Shim, who previously served as Vice Minister of Justice, is accused of reviewing a plan to dispatch prosecutors to the joint investigation headquarters during the martial law period. He is also suspected of abuse of power for allegedly failing to file an immediate appeal against the court's decision to cancel former President Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest warrant.

When questioned by reporters upon his arrival at the special prosecutor's office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Shim remained silent. He did not respond to inquiries about whether he had ordered the dispatch of prosecutors to the investigation unit or his stance on the court's finding of potential prosecutorial involvement in the martial law.

This marks Shim's first appearance for questioning by the special prosecutor's team, led by Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young. The investigation centers on charges of participating in rebellion and abuse of power.

Previously, a different special prosecutor's team investigated Shim regarding his alleged involvement in the martial law but ultimately dismissed the charges. However, the current comprehensive special prosecutor's team has reopened the investigation, believing there are grounds to suspect his involvement.

The Seoul Central District Court's recent ruling on a related case mentioned a series of phone calls between former Justice Minister Park Sung-bae and Shim, among others, suggesting circumstances that could indicate prosecutorial involvement in the martial law. This ruling was made during the trial of Park Sung-bae for charges including participating in rebellion.