On December 3, 2016, during the emergency martial law, four members of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) leadership were indicted on charges of participating in a rebellion. Former Director Cho Tae-yong was accused of ordering the execution of martial law and explaining its justification to US intelligence agencies. Former First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won was accused of establishing communication networks with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the National Police Agency and directing the dispatch of personnel. Former Second Deputy Director Hwang Won-jin was accused of instructing the review of a plan to dispatch personnel to the Joint Investigation Headquarters, while former Chief of Staff Kim Nam-woo was accused of instructing the selection of personnel to be dispatched to the Martial Law Situation Room. The special prosecution team clarified that there was no participation in the rebellion by general NIS employees.
