Former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Deputy Director Hong Jang-won responds to reporters' questions as he appears for questioning as a suspect on May 22 regarding allegations of 'transmitting messages to justify martial law' at the Gwacheon Headquarters of the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor's Office led by Prosecutor General Kwon Chang-young. [Yonhap News]

The Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor's Office, investigating lingering suspicions since the third special prosecution, summoned and questioned former NIS Deputy Director Hong Jang-won for approximately nine hours regarding allegations of 'transmitting messages to justify martial law.'

The special prosecution team questioned Hong as a suspect on charges of engaging in important duties related to rebellion on May 22, starting around 10 a.m.

Hong is accused of the NIS attempting to contact U.S. intelligence agencies after former President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law, with the aim of transmitting messages justifying the martial law.

The special prosecution team stated that during an execution of search and seizure warrants on the NIS in April, they obtained 'External Explanation Materials' detailing explanations of the legitimacy of emergency martial law to overseas entities.

They further explained that they have since confirmed specific charges by investigating about 40 individuals related to the NIS.

The special prosecution team believes that on the morning of December 4, 2024, the day after the emergency martial law was declared, the NIS received a document written in Korean from the National Security Office with a request to 'explain the background of the emergency martial law to allied nations.'

It is understood that, under the direction of former Director Cho, the overseas affairs department under the deputy director's purview translated the document into English and then directly explained its contents to the CIA chief.

Hong denies all related charges.

Emerging from the investigation around 7 p.m., Hong told reporters, "As I was in a key position at the NIS, there seem to have been facts that led the special prosecution to seriously misunderstand," adding, "I believe I sufficiently cleared up the misunderstandings and they understood fully."

He continued, "I explained various aspects meticulously, one by one, so I don't think there were any significant issues," and "I plan to go home and reread an article titled 'The Fall of Hong Jang-won'."

He did not answer specific questions, such as whether NIS officials handling overseas affairs had reported to him, even retroactively, after contacting U.S. intelligence agencies.

Earlier, on his way to the special prosecution office, Hong stated, "I never received orders from former Director Cho to transmit messages," and "If you consider whether former Director Cho was even in a situation to give me such orders, you will understand."

Regarding the 'external explanation document' that the special prosecution claims to have secured, he said, "I don't know as it's not specified what it refers to," and added, "I was summoned suddenly and don't know the full context, so I will figure it out once I'm inside."

Hong Jang-won appearing as a witness [Yonhap News File Photo]

Hong has provided crucial testimony multiple times during the investigations and impeachment proceedings that intensified after the declaration of emergency martial law.

He previously testified as a witness before the Constitutional Court and the National Assembly, revealing that he received a phone call from then-President Yoon Suk-yeol shortly after the martial law declaration, ordering the arrest of politicians. This was later confirmed as fact in the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial and Yoon's first-instance trial.

Hong also testified that he reported such arrest orders to former Director Cho, but that Cho intentionally disregarded them.

This testimony played a significant role in the special prosecution team indicting Cho on charges including dereliction of duty.

Concerns are being raised that Hong, who has effectively acted as a 'whistleblower' assisting investigations and trials, being investigated for alleged involvement in rebellion could have some negative impact on future investigations and trials.

The comprehensive special prosecution is also questioning former Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Chief Lee Seung-oh as a suspect on charges of engaging in important duties related to rebellion.

The special prosecution team suspects that JCS officials, including former JCS Chairman Kim Myung-soo, participated in the rebellion by forming a martial law command despite reporting the illegal deployment of martial law troops to the National Assembly.

Lee Seung-oh, former JCS Operations Chief, responding to questions [Yonhap News File Photo]