Special probe team raids DSC offices
By Lee Min-hyung
The scandal-hit Defense Security Command (DSC) is apparently resisting the Moon Jae-in administration's reform plans amid signs of rift with Defense Minister Song Young-moo.
The simmering conflict between the military intelligence unit and the defense ministry spearheading DSC reform was evident Tuesday when both sides made contradicting claims over a document outlining a plan to declare martial law last year if the Constitutional Court rejected the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye
"Song said the document did not have any legal problems during a meeting with military officers on July 9," DSC Colonel Min Byung-sam said at a National Assembly plenary session.
According to Min, the defense chief made the remarks after receiving legal consultation.
But Song countered the argument by saying, "The claim is a downright lie."
The DSC colonel, however, went on to back up his claim, citing the existence of a computerized file that includes remarks made during the meeting.
"The minister may not remember his comment, as he has to handle work from various military divisions," Min said. "But as an official from the DSC, I can clearly remember (what Song said)."
DSC chief Lee Suk-koo, who also attended the session, said he would submit the file to the Assembly to prove who was telling the truth.
The file, including statements that Song made during the meeting, was unveiled Wednesday. But the defense ministry claimed credibility of the file has not been confirmed.
The heated debate comes at a time when the military scandal over the 67-page-long document on the imposition of martial law is drawing a fierce backlash from the public. On Monday, details were revealed about the DSC's planned crackdown on pro-democracy protestors last year.
They included detailed plans to take control of the media and even the National Assembly by force.
Amid an escalating controversy, President Moon ordered Song to launch in-depth investigations into finding out who masterminded the plan.
Following the President's instructions, the defense ministry set up an independent investigation team of military prosecutors to look into the document. President Moon also ordered Song not to engage in the investigation for a fair and transparent probe.
On Wednesday, the team raided major divisions of the DSC and secured documents involved with the latest scandal.
The team is also known to have raided the homes and offices of 15 DSC taskforce members who allegedly wrote the document.
The military prosecutors will speed up their probe into finding out who ordered the planned crackdown. The team also plans to summon members of the taskforce and other suspects involved in the scandal, including DSC General So Gang-won and Brigadier General Gi Woo-jin.
Nothing has been confirmed over who the key person behind the nationwide scandal is.
During the Assembly session, the DSC officers claimed that former Defense Minister Han Min-goo ordered the military intelligence body to draft plans for the declaration of martial law.
"The DSC made the 67-page-long document for former DSC chief Cho Hyun-chun to refer to when he reported the plan to Han," So said during the session.
Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties agreed Wednesday to hold a hearing to discuss the military scandal after the ongoing investigation into the DSC is completed.
By Lee Min-hyung
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| Defense Security Command chief Lee Suk-koo |
The simmering conflict between the military intelligence unit and the defense ministry spearheading DSC reform was evident Tuesday when both sides made contradicting claims over a document outlining a plan to declare martial law last year if the Constitutional Court rejected the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye
"Song said the document did not have any legal problems during a meeting with military officers on July 9," DSC Colonel Min Byung-sam said at a National Assembly plenary session.
According to Min, the defense chief made the remarks after receiving legal consultation.
But Song countered the argument by saying, "The claim is a downright lie."
The DSC colonel, however, went on to back up his claim, citing the existence of a computerized file that includes remarks made during the meeting.
"The minister may not remember his comment, as he has to handle work from various military divisions," Min said. "But as an official from the DSC, I can clearly remember (what Song said)."
DSC chief Lee Suk-koo, who also attended the session, said he would submit the file to the Assembly to prove who was telling the truth.
The file, including statements that Song made during the meeting, was unveiled Wednesday. But the defense ministry claimed credibility of the file has not been confirmed.
The heated debate comes at a time when the military scandal over the 67-page-long document on the imposition of martial law is drawing a fierce backlash from the public. On Monday, details were revealed about the DSC's planned crackdown on pro-democracy protestors last year.
They included detailed plans to take control of the media and even the National Assembly by force.
Amid an escalating controversy, President Moon ordered Song to launch in-depth investigations into finding out who masterminded the plan.
Following the President's instructions, the defense ministry set up an independent investigation team of military prosecutors to look into the document. President Moon also ordered Song not to engage in the investigation for a fair and transparent probe.
On Wednesday, the team raided major divisions of the DSC and secured documents involved with the latest scandal.
The team is also known to have raided the homes and offices of 15 DSC taskforce members who allegedly wrote the document.
The military prosecutors will speed up their probe into finding out who ordered the planned crackdown. The team also plans to summon members of the taskforce and other suspects involved in the scandal, including DSC General So Gang-won and Brigadier General Gi Woo-jin.
Nothing has been confirmed over who the key person behind the nationwide scandal is.
During the Assembly session, the DSC officers claimed that former Defense Minister Han Min-goo ordered the military intelligence body to draft plans for the declaration of martial law.
"The DSC made the 67-page-long document for former DSC chief Cho Hyun-chun to refer to when he reported the plan to Han," So said during the session.
Lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties agreed Wednesday to hold a hearing to discuss the military scandal after the ongoing investigation into the DSC is completed.
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