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6 former NIS officials booked over alleged role in insurrection

South Korea's special counsel team has booked six former National Intelligence Service officials, including former chief Cho Tae-yong and former deputy director Hong Jang-won, on charges related to the alleged insurrection tied to President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. Separately, former National Fire Agency Commissioner Heo Suk-gon was questioned over alleged instructions to cut power and water to media outlets.

By Tertius News AI Desk 1 outlet · 5 articles Version 1 Coverage May 18 – Jun 1, 2026 Published Aug 15

Lead

South Korea's special counsel team investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid has booked six former political appointees at the National Intelligence Service (NIS) on charges of involvement in an insurrection, according to Yonhap News Agency. The six include former NIS chief Cho Tae-yong and former first deputy director Hong Jang-won. In a related development, a former National Fire Agency (NFA) commissioner has been booked on suspicion of performing key duties in the alleged insurrection.

Coverage Comparison

All reports from Yonhap News Agency focus on the special counsel team led by Kwon Chang-young, which has been investigating the alleged insurrection linked to Yoon's martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024. The coverage details the booking of the six former NIS officials, ongoing questioning of key figures, and the investigation's expansion to include a former fire agency chief.

Key Claims

Booking of Six Former NIS Officials

The special counsel team, led by Kwon Chang-young, has booked Hong Jang-won, Cho Tae-yong, and four other former political appointees at the NIS on insurrection-related charges, as reported by Yonhap. The six are accused of performing key duties related to the alleged insurrection. Cho has been detained since his arrest and indictment in November on charges of neglecting his duties by failing to report the martial law plan to the National Assembly in advance. According to Assistant Special Counsel Kim Ji-mi, the team executed a search warrant against the NIS last month and questioned about 40 officials. It was discovered that Cho convened meetings of NIS political appointees and department heads after meeting Yoon.

Hong Jang-won's Questioning and Denial

Hong Jang-won appeared before the special counsel team on May 22 for questioning as a suspect. He is accused of playing a key role in the alleged insurrection, as the NIS allegedly contacted U.S. intelligence agencies after Yoon declared martial law to convey a message justifying the emergency measure. After nine hours of interrogation, Hong told reporters, "I believe I have sufficiently cleared up misunderstandings, and I think they now understand the matter enough." He denied all allegations, saying he was unaware of documents allegedly uncovered during a recent raid on the NIS. Hong had previously acted as a "whistleblower" during investigations and court hearings related to the martial law declaration.

Alleged Contact with U.S. Intelligence

The special counsel team believes the NIS received a document from the presidential Office of National Security a day after Yoon's declaration, along with a request to explain the background of his decree to friendly countries. The team suspects that NIS officials called in a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency official to explain the emergency measure at Cho's instructions. Cho appeared before the special counsel team on June 1 over these allegations. He had previously been sentenced to 18 months in prison for perjury for falsely testifying at the Constitutional Court that he did not receive martial law-related documents from Yoon.

Former Fire Agency Chief's Alleged Role

Former NFA Commissioner Heo Suk-gon was booked on suspicion of performing key duties in the alleged insurrection, according to the special counsel team. Investigators began questioning him as a suspect on May 26 over his alleged involvement in former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min's attempt to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of Yoon following the martial law declaration. Heo is accused of receiving instructions from Lee to cooperate with police in cutting off power and water to the Hankyoreh and Kyunghang Shinmun newspapers, as well as broadcasters MBC and JTBC, and then relaying the instructions to his deputy, Lee Young-pal. Last year, special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team indicted Lee on charges of ordering utility cutoffs at media outlets but decided not to indict Heo. Kwon's team launched a new investigation, stating that legal punishment is necessary for Heo because he allegedly engaged in important duties related to the alleged insurrection.

Context

Yoon was sentenced to life imprisonment in February for leading an insurrection through his failed martial law bid, which lasted only hours before the National Assembly voted to lift it. The special counsel team is also considering additional investigations into Hong Jang-won over allegations related to the NIS's attempt to deliver a message justifying Yoon's martial law to U.S. intelligence agencies. In a related move, the team raided former Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo's home and office, suspecting he explained the legitimacy of martial law to major allies through the foreign ministry. Kim appeared before investigators as a suspect on May 26 after being questioned on May 23.