Joint Response Headquarters "President Yoon's Attendance Request Deemed Unanswered"... Returned Due to Refusal to Accept at Hannam Residence

Decision on Second Attendance Request at 10 AM Tomorrow

The Joint Investigation Headquarters investigating the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident' stated that President Yoon Seok-yeol's side will not appear before the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC) tomorrow, and said, "This can be considered as non-compliance with the summons."

President Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

The Joint Headquarters explained on the same day, "Even if the summons letter was not received by mail, it can be considered acknowledged," and added, "This is the first non-compliance with the summons, and the decision on the second summons will be made after 10 a.m. tomorrow."

The Joint Headquarters revealed that the summons for President Yoon was returned due to refusal of receipt at the Hannam-dong residence, and the one sent to the Presidential Secretariat's General Affairs Secretary Office was undelivered.

The Joint Headquarters attempted to deliver the summons to both the Presidential Secretariat and the Hannam-dong residence the previous day but failed. A Joint Headquarters official said, "Both the Presidential Secretariat and the residence refused to accept it, so we could not deliver it in person," and added, "The Security Office claimed it was not within their jurisdiction." The Presidential Secretariat also stated that it was unclear whether delivering the summons during the president's suspension from duty falls under their responsibilities.

On the 18th at 10 a.m., the Joint Headquarters requested President Yoon to appear before the PCC. The summons specified charges against President Yoon, including leading a rebellion and obstruction of the exercise of official duties through abuse of power. The Joint Headquarters is a cooperative investigation body composed of the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters, the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC), and the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters.