Ryu Hyuk: "Yoon Likely to Consistently Refuse to Testify After Arrest... Arrest Warrant Should Be Requested"

"Clear Intent to Destroy Evidence and Obstruct Judicial Order"

As the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has begun executing an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, former Ministry of Justice Inspector Ryu Hyuk predicted that President Yoon is likely to adopt an uncooperative attitude during the investigation after the arrest, consistently refusing to testify.

On the 3rd, former Inspector Ryu explained on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "whether to detain within 48 hours after executing the arrest warrant must be decided," adding, "During this time, interrogation will be conducted regarding charges such as rebellion and abuse of authority." He continued, "President Yoon has not cooperated with the investigation so far," and "It appears he will continue to refuse to testify and maintain an uncooperative stance during the investigation."

Vehicles carrying investigators from the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division, who have set out to execute an arrest warrant for President Yoon Suk-yeol, arrived and are waiting at the entrance of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

The CIO is understood to have prepared a questionnaire of over 100 pages for President Yoon's investigation. Regarding this, former Inspector Ryu said, "If President Yoon cooperates to the fullest extent, it seems possible to complete the gist of the questions within 48 hours," adding, "If he exercises his right to remain silent and refuses to respond to the interrogation, it is expected that the criminal facts will be substantiated based on objectively established evidence, as well as testimonies from co-defendants and witnesses."

He also predicted that an arrest warrant for President Yoon would be requested. He elaborated, "Judging from the suspect President Yoon's attitude, there is a clear intention to destroy evidence or obstruct judicial order," and "The necessity of compulsory investigation, namely an arrest warrant as stipulated by the Criminal Procedure Act, is naturally required."

Regarding security measures by the Presidential Security Service after President Yoon's arrest, he anticipated, "I understand that President Yoon is scheduled to be detained at the Seoul Detention Center, which has security facilities comparable to the presidential residence," and "Since it is a sufficiently secure location, it seems highly unlikely that security personnel will be practically deployed." Former Inspector Ryu added, "There are no security-related regulations under the Security Act that assume such a situation, and while security personnel may wait outside, it is impossible for them to participate in or be present during the investigation," but noted, "However, considering the status of the president, it might be possible to exceptionally have necessary personnel nearby. It depends on the discretion of the CIO."