Kim Yong-hyun, implicated in Noh Sang-won's notebook probe, refuses special prosecutor summons

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has informed the secondary special prosecutor's team that he will not appear for a summons on July 19. The summons is part of an investigation into allegations that key figures were targeted for arrest during the 1979 martial law period.

The investigation, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, is examining a notebook belonging to Noh Sang-won, the former Army Security Commander. This notebook reportedly contains plans for the apprehension of important individuals.

Prosecutors suspect that Kim Yong-hyun was partially involved in the alleged plot to arrest and detain individuals as detailed in Noh Sang-won's notebook. The special prosecutor's team has previously inspected potential detention sites mentioned in the notebook, including a facility within the Yeonpyeong Unit in Ongjin County and B-1 Bunker of the Defense Security Command.

Kim Yong-hyun's refusal to attend the summons, for which the reason remains undisclosed, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing inquiry into actions taken during a turbulent period in South Korea's history.