▲ Hong Jang-won (C), former first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, answers questions from reporters in front of special counsel Kwon Chang-young's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on May 22, 2026. (Yonhap)

ex-NIS official-special counsel

Ex-NIS deputy chief grilled over alleged role in insurrection

SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Hong Jang-won, former first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), appeared before special prosecutors Friday for questioning over alleged involvement in insurrection related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law.

Hong arrived at the office of the second comprehensive special counsel team, led by Kwon Chang-young, in the morning before being questioned as a suspect.

He is accused of performing key duties related to the alleged insurrection, as the NIS allegedly contacted U.S. intelligence agencies after Yoon declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, to deliver a message justifying the emergency measure.

Kwon's team has booked Hong, former NIS chief Cho Tae-yong and four other former political appointees at the spy agency on the insurrection-related charges.

The team said it has confirmed specific charges against the six after obtaining documents explaining the legitimacy of the martial law declaration during an April raid on the NIS and subsequently questioning about 40 NIS officials.

Hong denied all the charges, when approached by reporters in front of Kwon's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul. He said he did not know about the documents allegedly uncovered during the recent raid on the NIS.

The questioning of Hong drew particular attention, as he had effectively acted as a "whistleblower" in the martial law-related investigations and court hearings.

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