Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun appeared as a witness in the trial for charges of leading a rebellion, held on December 30 last year by the Criminal Settlement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court. [Provided by Seoul Central District Court] 

The special prosecutor's team, investigating lingering suspicions after the third special prosecutor's inquiry, notified former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to appear for questioning as a suspect on the 6th. However, it has been confirmed that Kim's side conveyed his intention not to attend.

According to legal circles on the 5th, Kim's side submitted a letter of non-attendance to the special prosecutor's team the previous day.

Previously, the special prosecutor's team had requested Kim's attendance, stating the need for suspect questioning regarding the charge of organizing a criminal organization.

The special prosecutor's team is investigating allegations that Kim, in concert with former National Intelligence Agency Commander Noh Sang-won and others during martial law, formed a joint martial law investigation headquarters and organized a clandestine organization called "Investigation Unit 2."

It is known that former Commander Noh planned to seize the National Election Commission, steal servers, and arrest officials on the day of martial law using Investigation Unit 2.

In March, the special prosecutor's team booked four individuals, including former Commander Noh, former Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho, former Intelligence Project Manager Jeong Seong-wook, and former Intelligence Central Newspaper Editor Kim Bong-gyu, on charges of organizing a criminal organization, and questioned former Commander Noh on the 22nd of last month.

On the 29th of last month, the special prosecutor's team notified Kim to appear as a suspect for rebellion charges under the military criminal law.

However, at that time as well, the questioning did not proceed as it overlapped with Kim's police investigation schedule.

Kim's side maintains that the charges applied by the special prosecutor's team pertain to the same case as the rebellion charges for which he has already been arrested and indicted, and is therefore a case of "double investigation."