President Lee Jae-myung Orders Raid on Ex-Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn
The raid follows a complaint filed in March by the civic group Candlelight Victory Action against Hwang Kyo-ahn, accusing him of insurrection incitement. Candlelight Victory Action alleges that statements made by Hwang at specific rallies undermined the constitutional order and constituted insurrection incitement capable of causing social unrest. After reviewing the complaint, police transferred the investigation to the Special Counsel, who appears to have decided on the raid to secure evidence substantiating the allegations against Hwang.
The Special Counsel's raid is drawing increased attention amid recent political debates surrounding historical issues. The raid on Hwang Kyo-ahn, in particular, comes amid a growing trend of investigations into figures from previous administrations since President Lee Jae-myung took office, raising the possibility of political repercussions. The opposition is criticizing the raid as a form of political retaliation, while the ruling party is emphasizing that the investigation is proceeding according to the law. As political conflict is expected to intensify, attention is focused on the impact of this case on future state affairs.
Hwang Kyo-ahn served as Prime Minister under the Park Geun-hye administration and acted as President following Park's impeachment. As Prime Minister, he oversaw overall state affairs and pursued various policies, particularly maintaining a hard-line stance on security issues. After leaving office, he continued conservative political activities, expressing his political views through lectures and publications. Against this backdrop, the accusation of insurrection incitement against Hwang and the subsequent raid are expected to have a significant impact not only on the political sphere but also on society as a whole. Hwang's side has not yet issued an official statement regarding the raid, but is expected to actively defend himself during the investigation.
The raid is expected to have a considerable impact on Hwang Kyo-ahn's political standing. If the allegations are substantiated, his political career could effectively be over, and it could negatively affect the conservative camp as a whole. Conversely, if the charges are not proven, he could gain a foothold for a political comeback, as well as strengthen the opposition's criticisms. Therefore, the outcome of this case is likely to be a crucial turning point that could alter the political landscape as a whole. The Special Counsel plans to summon Hwang and related parties for questioning and analyze the evidence obtained through the raid to determine the truth of the allegations. The decision on whether or not to indict Hwang will depend on the results of the investigation, and a fierce legal battle is expected during the trial.
