Former Justice Minister Park Sung-Jae appeared before a special counsel’s office for questioning that reportedly lasted around 13 hours, as prosecutors investigate his alleged role in acts tied to the attempted martial law proclamation of December 3, 2024. The questioning focuses on whether Park helped facilitate or cover up parts of the order, including issuing directives to agencies like immigration and correctional services.
Evidence, Phone Calls, and Alleged Agency Orders Under Scrutiny
Investigators have flagged three phone calls made by Park to Prosecutor General Shim Woo-Jung during late December 3 and early December 4 just as martial law was declared. They see those calls as significant, since they may relate to coordination between the Justice Ministry and the prosecutor’s office.
Beyond communications, prosecutors are investigating alleged instructions Park may have given: ordering the Korea Immigration Service to stand by for travel bans for detainees, and tasks to the Korea Correctional Service to allocate detention space for politicians or other detainees anticipated under martial law.
Park’s Impeachment and Constitutional Court Reversal
Park’s involvement in the martial law crisis is not new. In December 2024, lawmakers impeached him alongside others, accusing him of abetting former President Yoon’s unconstitutional actions. But in April 2025, South Korea’s Constitutional Court overturned Park’s impeachment, saying it lacked legal basis. Park resumed his position, asserting that the court vindicated him from wrongdoing.
The new questioning reflects that legal vindication does not preclude criminal accountability if evidence emerges.
Risks, Political Consequences, and Legal Stakes
If prosecutors gather enough evidence, Park could face charges such as abetting insurrection, abuse of power, or unlawful coordination with executive agencies. The investigation also overlaps with larger probes into Yoon’s administration, which include charges against military and civilian officials for trying to enforce the martial law decree.
Politically, this intensifies tension in South Korea. Park was a key figure in the Yoon government, and his exposure risks opening fissures within ruling ranks, potentially implicating wider networks in the recent constitutional crisis. The public will closely watch whether accountability reaches senior players who may have orchestrated or supported the night’s events.
