Prosecution Issues First Summons Notice to Yoon... Yoon Refuses
If Refusal Continues, Detention May Follow
Yoon's Legal Team Formed... Legal Battle Intensifies
President Yoon Suk-yeol refused the prosecution's summons on the 15th regarding the investigation into the 'martial law emergency situation.' This action contradicts his earlier statement that he would not evade legal responsibility related to the incident.
However, some analysts suggest that if he continues to ignore the summons, the investigative authorities may take measures to forcibly secure his custody, so he is expected to comply after forming a legal defense team.
According to the Prosecution's Special Investigation Headquarters for the Martial Law Emergency, President Yoon did not respond to the prosecution's notification to appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 10 a.m. that day. This is the first time the investigative authorities have summoned President Yoon in connection with the martial law emergency situation.
It is not known what reasons President Yoon gave for not appearing before the prosecution.
Earlier, on the 12th, President Yoon stated in a national address, "Whether I am impeached or investigated, I will face it with confidence," adding, "I have already stated that I will not evade legal or political responsibility regarding the martial law declaration."
However, President Yoon has refused both the police National Investigation Headquarters' special investigation team's search of the Presidential Office and the prosecution's summons on this day.
On the 11th, the police obtained a warrant from the court and conducted a search of the Yongsan Presidential Office, but the Presidential Security Service blocked entry, resulting in only some materials being submitted voluntarily. The police expressed regret, stating they received "only a very limited portion of the materials."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a national address at his Hannam-dong residence on the 14th after his impeachment motion was passed in the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News
On the previous afternoon, immediately after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against him, President Yoon issued a statement saying, "I will never give up," and "I will do my best for the country until the very last moment."
This was interpreted as his intention to actively respond to investigations into allegations such as impeachment and rebellion against him.
In fact, President Yoon has explained that "the president's exercise of the martial law declaration authority is a governing act not subject to judicial review, similar to the exercise of pardon or diplomatic powers," and thus does not constitute the crime of rebellion.
It is also known that President Yoon is forming a legal defense team in preparation for investigations into allegations including impeachment and rebellion. Former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il, known to be a close aide of President Yoon, is reportedly considering participation.
Although President Yoon refused to be questioned on this day, it is expected to be difficult for him to maintain this stance indefinitely.
If the investigative authorities determine that President Yoon is refusing the summons without justifiable reasons, they may obtain a warrant to forcibly secure his custody through arrest or detention.
The prosecution stated, "We plan to notify a second summons" and added, "We are conducting the investigation according to procedures."
Meanwhile, as the impeachment trial procedure against President Yoon has begun, the Presidential Office has actively started assisting Acting President Han Duck-soo in his duties.
Jung Jin-seok, Chief Secretary of the Presidential Office, met with Policy Chief Sung Tae-yoon at the Government Seoul Office around 10:40 a.m. to discuss detailed plans on how to support the acting president system.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
