Handongsoo, Former Chief of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Inspection Department, "Suspect Interrogation Video Recording Possible... Principle-Based Investigation Needed"

"The Public Is the Victim,
Gong-su-cheo Should Hold Media Briefings"

Regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of leading a rebellion and other charges, refusing to provide testimony and video recording during the investigation, lawyer Han Dong-su raised his voice, saying, "A principled investigation is necessary."

Han, a former head of the Inspection Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 16th and emphasized, "While witnesses must give consent, video recording can be done for suspects without permission," adding, "Records must be kept because suspects might later change their statements."

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was arrested by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency on charges of leading an insurrection, is leaving the agency in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 15th after completing his investigation and is being transferred to Seoul Detention Center. Photo by Yonhap News

Lawyer Han viewed that since President Yoon is a former special prosecutor, the investigation strategy of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (Gong-su-cheo) is important. He said, "When Yoon was Prosecutor General, he once said that for suspects who intend to exercise their right to remain silent, 'Is it really necessary to interrogate the suspect? It might only reveal investigation information unnecessarily,'" and added, "It is said that lawyer Yoon Gap-geun was present; although on the surface the right to remain silent was exercised, by observing the prosecutor's questions, they likely took notes on the direction of the investigation and the extent of evidence collection, using it as an opportunity to grasp how to conduct the investigation and prepare for trial."

Han also said that media briefings on President Yoon's investigation situation are necessary. He stated, "In a way, the entire nation is the victim," and added, "Because this concerns the maintenance of democratic order, appropriate reporting to the public is required. There should be proper and concise briefings on aspects such as exercising the right to remain silent, voluntary departure, and any planned schedules."

Regarding the possibility of issuing an arrest warrant for President Yoon, he said, "Since the facts and legal principles are clear, at least concerning the charge of rebellion leader, there should be no problem. The warrant should be issued."

Lawyer Han previously testified in the so-called 'Complaint Fabrication Case' trial in October 2023 that then-Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol said that if he had attended the Korea Military Academy, he would have staged a coup. Han claimed, "(President Yoon) had ambitions for the presidency even while serving as Prosecutor General," and described it as "an expression of desire for coercive authority in the style of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan."