President Yoon Suk-yeol had not yet appeared by the time requested by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HOCI) on the 25th regarding the 'December 3 Martial Law Incident.' The HOCI has decided to wait for President Yoon's appearance on that day.
The joint investigation headquarters, composed of the HOCI, the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters, and the Ministry of National Defense Investigation Headquarters, notified President Yoon to appear at the Government Complex Gwacheon by 10 a.m. that day to be investigated as a suspect on charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of power obstructing the exercise of rights.
The HOCI plans to wait longer for President Yoon without setting a specific time that day. On the previous day, Odongwoon, head of the HOCI, stated at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session, "The investigation is scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow, but we intend to wait a bit longer."
If President Yoon does not appear that day, a decision on whether to make a third summons or request an arrest warrant will be made as early as the 26th.
Chief prosecutor Cha Jeong-hyun, who sent the summons, is waiting at the HOCI building for the investigation.
Since the investigation has not yet begun, the exact volume of the questionnaire has not been disclosed, but it is known that a substantial amount of questions was prepared to conduct a full-day investigation if President Yoon appeared at 10 a.m. that day. Former President Park Geun-hye was investigated for over 21 hours.
Earlier, the HOCI had requested an investigation on the 18th, and when President Yoon did not respond, they reiterated the summons for that day.
However, President Yoon has not accepted the summons. On the previous day, President Yoon's lawyer, Seok Dong-hyun, said, "It seems difficult for him to appear." This effectively confirmed non-appearance.
President Yoon's side holds the position that since the National Assembly has impeached him, the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial takes precedence over the investigation. They have not yet submitted a notice of attorney appointment to the HOCI, stating that it is taking time to form a legal defense team.
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