Yoon Refuses Summons Following Search Raid... Focuses on Legal Response While Staying at Residence (Comprehensive)

Jung Jin-seok Chief Secretary Holds Morning Meeting with Key Aides
Yoon's Security, Protocol, and Salary Remain Unchanged Despite Suspension

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

President Yoon Suk-yeol refused the prosecution's summons on the 15th regarding the investigation into the 'December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident.' This action contradicts his earlier statement that he would not evade legal responsibility related to the incident. However, some analysts suggest that after forming a legal defense team, he may comply with the summons, as continued refusal could lead investigative authorities to forcibly secure his custody.

According to the Prosecution's Special Investigation Headquarters on Emergency Martial Law, President Yoon did not respond to the prosecution's notification to appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 10 a.m. the previous day. This is the first time investigative authorities have summoned President Yoon in connection with the emergency martial law incident. The prosecution has announced a second summons for a face-to-face investigation with President Yoon. The prosecution stated, "A second summons will be notified," and "the investigation is proceeding according to procedures."

On the 16th, President Yoon was reported to be staying at his Hannam-dong residence, focusing on legal preparations for the investigation into the emergency martial law declaration and the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial. Earlier, on the 12th, in a public address, President Yoon said, "Whether I am impeached or investigated, I will face it confidently," and "I have already stated that I will not evade legal or political responsibility regarding this martial law declaration."

However, President Yoon rejected both the police's National Investigation Headquarters Emergency Martial Law Special Investigation Unit's search of the Presidential Office and the prosecution's summons the previous day. On the 11th, the police obtained a warrant from the court to search the Yongsan Presidential Office but were blocked by the Presidential Security Service, receiving only some materials voluntarily submitted. The police expressed regret, stating, "We only received a very limited portion of the materials."

Yoon Actively Responds to Treason Investigation

On the 14th, immediately after the impeachment motion against him was passed in the National Assembly, President Yoon issued a statement saying, "I will never give up," and "I will do my best for the country until the last moment." This was interpreted as his intention to actively respond to investigations into charges including impeachment and treason.

President Yoon is assembling a legal defense team in preparation for investigations into impeachment and treason charges. Among the defense team members mentioned is Kim Hong-il, former Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission and a close associate of President Yoon. Kim, who completed his term as chairman in July this year and returned to the law firm Sejong at the end of October, reportedly resigned from Sejong earlier this month. The defense team is expected to be composed mainly of legal professionals with impeachment experience, including those from the Presidential Office's Legal Secretary Office.

Although President Yoon refused the investigation on this day, it is expected that he will find it difficult to maintain his refusal. If investigative authorities determine that President Yoon is refusing the summons without justifiable reason, they may obtain a warrant to forcibly secure his custody through arrest or detention.

Jung Jin-seok, Chief of Staff to the President, is leaving the government complex after meeting with Han Deok-su, Acting Prime Minister, at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th to discuss coordination of duties between the Presidential Secretariat, the Prime Minister's Secretariat, and the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Photo by Yonhap News

With the impeachment trial of President Yoon underway, the Presidential Office has begun actively assisting Acting President Han Duck-soo. On the previous day, Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok met with Acting President Han at the Government Seoul Office, along with Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon, to discuss coordination of duties among the Presidential Secretariat, Prime Minister's Secretariat, and the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

Presidential Office: "Doing Our Best to Assist Acting President"

On the morning of the same day, Chief Secretary Jeong held a meeting with senior secretaries and key aides, combining it with a tea time, to exchange views on how to assist the Acting President. Going forward, the Chief Secretary will report the results of senior secretaries' meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Acting President. A Presidential Office official said, "This morning, as usual, a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary was held with tea time," adding, "Although the atmosphere is somber, we plan to do our best to assist the Acting President to ensure there is no disruption in state affairs."

Meanwhile, even if President Yoon's duties are suspended due to the passage of the impeachment motion, his security and protocol will continue as before, maintaining his status as President. President Yoon will continue to receive his salary, although some allowances related to operational expenses will not be paid. If the Constitutional Court ultimately confirms the impeachment, President Yoon will lose most benefits under the 'Former Presidents Act.' While security protection will continue for an impeached former president, pension, support for secretaries and drivers, and free medical treatment privileges will be revoked.