[Anchor]

Throughout the investigation period, noise surrounding the comprehensive special counsel team never ceased. In particular, the comprehensive special counsel team completely reversed the conclusions of the insurrection special counsel team, leading to a public clash between the two agencies.

Reporter Jeon Yeon-nam has the story.

[Reporter]

Former Capital Defense Command Security Group Commander Cho Seong-hyun was even awarded a medal for contributing to the early termination of martial law through the so-called "Seogang Bridge retreat."

Former National Intelligence Service First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won testified about former President Yoon Suk Yeol's order to arrest politicians, saying, "Round them all up."

The insurrection special counsel team evaluated them as key witnesses and primary contributors in the insurrection investigation and trial.

However, the comprehensive special counsel team flipped this judgment 180 degrees.

They indicted the two individuals, concluding that they participated in the insurrection after martial law was declared.

[Kwon Chang-young / Comprehensive Special Counsel: "Considering their cooperation with the investigation and trial to determine a certain level of sentencing is a matter for the court to decide, not an investigative agency."]

The comprehensive special counsel determined that former Deputy Director Hong ordered the establishment of communication networks with the Defense Security Command and the National Police Agency on the day of martial law, and that former Commander Cho changed his attitude after the motion demanding the lifting of emergency martial law was passed in the National Assembly.

[Kim Jung-min / Special Assistant to Comprehensive Special Counsel: "The claim that they were told not to cross Seogang Bridge is heavily exaggerated. It seems clear orders were issued to enter the National Assembly and pull out troops."]br />
The insurrection special counsel team even sent an official letter recommending non-indictment, expressing concerns that if the two were indicted, they might refuse to testify in trials related to former President Yoon. In response, the comprehensive special counsel team sent a rebuttal letter, triggering a public clash.

Today (August 24), the two agencies engaged in a war of words over the "end date of the insurrection." The insurrection special counsel team re-emphasized that the insurrection ended on December 4 when the lifting of martial law was announced, but the comprehensive special counsel hit back once again.

[Kwon Chang-young / Comprehensive Special Counsel: "Once the (impeachment motion) is passed and duties are suspended (on December 14), are they not liberated from the danger?..."]

Internal friction within the special counsel team also persisted throughout the investigation period.

Controversy over political bias arose due to a special assistant's appearance on a pro-ruling party online broadcast, and a special assistant in charge who had previewed a massive investigation into Ssangbangwool's illegal remittance to North Korea was replaced after it was revealed that he had previously represented individuals associated with Ssangbangwool.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Video Reported by Yang Hyun-chul | Video Edited by Choi Hye-young)