Seoul: Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced the formation of a government task force to probe public officials' involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt, describing it as an "inevitable" measure to stabilize state affairs. Kim's remarks came during a Cabinet meeting amid concerns that the task force, named the "task force to respect the Constitution and innovate the government," might be used to target dissenting civil servants.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim emphasized that the task force is crucial for swiftly restoring constitutional order and uniting the public sector. He assured that investigations will be conducted according to the Constitution and lawful procedures, ensuring they are neither excessive nor insufficient. The proposal for the task force was made by Kim during a previous Cabinet meeting led by President Lee Jae Myung, who supported the idea of an independent government investigation, separate from a special counsel team, to hold public officials accountable.
In the Cabinet meeting, Kim stated that the task force would illustrate the balance of concentration and restraint necessary for the stable innovation of the executive branch, focusing on addressing the insurrection and prioritizing people's livelihoods. The task force will be established across 49 central government agencies, excluding the National Intelligence Service and agencies under the presidential office.
For the police investigation, Senior Superintendent Hwang Jeong-in has been appointed to lead the sectoral task force, as confirmed by police officers familiar with the situation. Hwang, currently the chief of a provincial police precinct, will investigate allegations related to the police organization's involvement in the martial law bid, including any plotting, execution, justification, or cover-up activities.
Hwang is noted for his opposition to the Yoon government's 2022 initiative to create a "police bureau" within the interior ministry, seen as an attempt to diminish police authority. At that time, Hwang, then chief of the narcotics division at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, was reassigned to a position at the police training institute, a move perceived as a demotion.