A special counsel team questioned former Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Saturday regarding the investigation into ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration attempt. Investigators summoned Cho as a person of interest rather than a suspect. The questioning focused on a Cabinet meeting that occurred before Yoon announced martial law on December 3. Authorities also examined controversial press guidance that a foreign ministry spokesperson distributed to international media on December 5. Cho attended the select Cabinet meeting where he first learned about the martial law plan.
The former minister initially assumed the emergency Cabinet session concerned communication with then-President-elect Donald Trump. Yoon provided Cho with written instructions detailing how diplomatic missions should function under martial law conditions. Cho advised against the declaration and warned that such action could damage South Korea's democratic development spanning seven decades. Yoon maintained that the decision stemmed from non-personal motivations and proceeded despite opposition. Presidential office staff later requested Cho's signature on documentation related to the martial law order, which he declined to provide.
The former minister initially assumed the emergency Cabinet session concerned communication with then-President-elect Donald Trump. Yoon provided Cho with written instructions detailing how diplomatic missions should function under martial law conditions. Cho advised against the declaration and warned that such action could damage South Korea's democratic development spanning seven decades. Yoon maintained that the decision stemmed from non-personal motivations and proceeded despite opposition. Presidential office staff later requested Cho's signature on documentation related to the martial law order, which he declined to provide.
