"18cm Weapon Described as a Box Cutter": Former Prosecutor Kim Sang-min Referred to Prosecution Over 'Gadeokdo Attack' Classification

Police have referred former prosecutor Kim Sang-min to the prosecution on charges of drafting a legal review report containing false information regarding the attack on Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

At the time of the incident, Kim was serving as a special advisor to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

The National Police Agency's task force investigating the Gadeokdo attack announced today, July 16, that it referred Kim and two other former NIS officials to the prosecution on the 3rd of this month on charges including the creation of false official documents.

According to the police investigation, while reviewing whether the incident constituted an act of terrorism in his capacity as an NIS special advisor last year, Kim described the 18cm modified weapon used in the crime as a mere box cutter in the report.

Based on this report, the NIS concluded that the Gadeokdo attack did not qualify as an act of terrorism and notified the relevant government ministries accordingly.

The police determined that Kim had recorded information contrary to the facts despite being aware of the actual nature of the weapon through reference materials.

An official from the investigation task force explained that, based on a comprehensive review of the report's drafting process and the evidence secured, there was clear intent behind the falsification.

The official further pointed out that facts were distorted to fit a predetermined conclusion rather than following logical reasoning, and that Kim was aware the report would be used for the final assessment of the incident.

The two other NIS officials referred alongside Kim are accused of drafting a joint investigation report on the day of the incident, despite the fact that the joint counter-terrorism investigation team of military and police in the Busan region had not yet reached a conclusion.

The police concluded that the false report was created without an agreement among the relevant agencies, which prevented follow-up measures such as the reactivation of the joint investigation team.

In addition, the police confirmed one additional attempt by the perpetrator, identified by the surname Kim, to carry out an attack.

It was revealed that the perpetrator also attempted an attack while in possession of a weapon during a visit to the Incheon Gongdan Fire Station on December 27, 2023.

As this attempt was a preparatory act that did not reach the stage of execution, it was not separately booked, bringing the total number of the perpetrator's attempted attacks to six.

The police analyzed that the perpetrator had formed extremist views by selectively consuming information that aligned with his political leanings.

However, the police stated that no evidence was found to prove the existence of any mastermind or organization that directed or supported the crime.

The task force, which conducted the investigation for six months starting in January, has effectively concluded its probe with this final referral.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.