Former NIS Official Appears for Fourth Interrogation in Martial Law Plot Probe

Hong Jang-won, the former first deputy director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), appeared for questioning for the fourth time on March 26, facing allegations of involvement in a plot to impose martial law. The special prosecutor's team is investigating Hong on suspicion of violating the National Intelligence Service Act and engaging in duties related to a planned rebellion.

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The other deputy directors present at the meeting did not know that former President Yoon had given such an order.

Prosecutors suspect that Hong played a key role in establishing communication channels with agencies involved in the planned martial law, such as the Defense Security Command, following a high-level NIS meeting on the night of December 3, 2022. They also are examining Hong's alleged involvement in the NIS's communication with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on December 4, 2022, to justify the imposition of martial law.

Hong and his legal team vehemently deny these allegations. They contend that Hong's instructions were merely to maintain existing communication lines with standing NIS departments, a standard operational procedure. They argue that the special prosecutor's team is misinterpreting these routine directives as evidence of participation in a rebellion. Furthermore, they argue that if the NIS had indeed planned to orchestrate a rebellion, such discussions would have occurred at a higher-level meeting involving NIS political appointees, not at a subordinate department heads' meeting led by Hong.

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Because there were no related discussions, it is my stance that the NIS was not involved in the martial law plot at all.

Speaking to reporters before entering the prosecutor's office, Hong stated, "The other deputy directors present at the [political appointee] meeting did not know that former President Yoon had given such an order [to arrest politicians]." He reiterated his position: "Because there were no related discussions, it is my stance that the NIS was not involved in the martial law plot at all." When asked about the possibility of indictment, Hong expressed uncertainty but added, "After four rounds of investigation, no matter how much I think about it, I don't think I have done anything significantly wrong."

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After four rounds of investigation, no matter how much I think about it, I don't think I have done anything significantly wrong.