'VIP fury acknowledged' Kim Gye-hwan's side "Perjury is not subject to special prosecutor's investigation... There is no fear of flight"

“Attended without missing a special prosecutor’s investigation, avoided meeting with subordinates… There is no reason for arrest.”

Former Marine Corps Commander Kim Gye-hwan, who has denied the so-called 'VIP (former President Yoon Seok-yeol) fury theory', stated that he was not subject to investigation under the Special Prosecutor's Office Act on charges of perjury and that there was no reason for his arrest.

Daeryun Law Firm, which represents former Commander Kim, stated in a statement on the 23rd, "The charges of perjury in Colonel Park Jeong-hoon's trial for mutiny and the charges made during the National Assembly's audit of government affairs do not constitute illegal acts such as the 'death of Marine Chae Soo-geun', which is specified as the subject of investigation by the special prosecutor, or the related 'concealment, ignorance, dereliction of duty, and abuse of power.'"

Former Commander Kim's side emphasized, "It is difficult to say that the crimes for which the warrant is requested, such as conspiracy to commit perjury and violation of the National Assembly Testimony Evaluation Act, are clearly established," and added, "Former Commander Kim is already banned from leaving the country, and he always attends the special prosecutor's investigation, so there is no fear of flight."

He went on to explain, “Even if his subordinates contact him first, he is avoiding meetings and has not even spoken on the phone with those involved in the case. In relation to perjury, all evidence, including witness interrogation records and National Assembly meeting minutes, has already been secured, so there is no possibility of evidence destruction.”

Previously, on the 18th, the special prosecution team for Marines killed in the line of duty requested an arrest warrant for former Commander Kim, claiming that he is accused of perjury by making a statement denying the so-called 'fury theory' that former President Yoon was enraged upon receiving reports of the results of the Marine Corps' death in the line of duty at the National Assembly and the Central Regional Military Court.

In February of last year, former Commander Kim appeared as a witness in the first trial of Marine Corps Investigation Division Commander (Colonel) Park Jeong-hoon on charges of mutiny and other charges, and is accused of perjury by perjury by stating that he never conveyed former President Yoon's anger to Colonel Park.

Former Commander Kim is also charged with perjury under the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act when he answered "no" to the question asked by Park Eun-jung, a member of the National Reform Party, "Have you ever told Colonel Park Jeong-hoon about the VIP fury rumor" during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's military court audit in October of last year.

Nam Se-jin, chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, interrogated the suspect before the arrest of former commander Kim on the 22nd and said, "Considering the suspect's career, residence and family relations, and the suspect's appearance and statement attitude during the investigation process, it is difficult to acknowledge the fear of flight. Considering the evidence secured to date, the progress of the investigation, and the suspect's current status regarding this charge, it is difficult to say that there is a concern about destruction of evidence beyond the exercise of the right to defense at this stage." dismissed.

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team said in a briefing on this day, "(Former Commander Kim) admitted for the first time in court that he was aware of former President Yoon Seok-yeol's anger. Although he said he had never heard of former President Yoon's anger after receiving the results of the Marine Corps investigation team during Col. Park Jung-hoon's trial or during a National Assembly inquiry, he admitted for the first time," adding, "We believe it is necessary to further investigate other allegations, including changes in statements. We plan to summon former Commander Kim again soon to investigate."

Reporter Suyeon Yoo (shushu@news1.kr)

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News 1 - 'VIP fury acknowledged' Kim Gye-hwan's side "Perjury is not subject to special prosecutor's investigation... There is no fear of flight" (Shortcut)
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