The police have notified former President Yoon Sukyeol to appear for a third summons on the 19th.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after attending the 6th trial session on charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of authority obstructing the exercise of rights on the afternoon of the 9th. He is responding to questions from the press. Photo by Joint Press Corps
On the 12th, the Special Investigation Team of the National Investigation Headquarters at the National Police Agency stated, "We have sent a third summons to former President Yoon, as we have determined that a face-to-face investigation is absolutely necessary due to his failure to comply with the second summons."
It is known that if former President Yoon does not comply with the third summons as well, the police are considering measures to secure his custody, such as an emergency arrest or applying for an arrest warrant without taking him into custody.
On the morning of the same day, former President Yoon was seen walking through the underground shopping arcade of Acro Vista, his residence in Seocho-gu, Seoul. He was reportedly accompanied by bodyguards and was dressed in a short-sleeved shirt and shorts as he strolled through the shopping area.
On the 11th, the legal team of former President Yoon submitted a written opinion indicating that they would not comply with the police's second summons notice. Yoon's attorney, Yoon Gapgeun, stated in the opinion, "The attempt by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to execute an arrest warrant constitutes an illegal and invalid exercise of official duties," arguing that the charges cannot be established. He further stated, "Parts that are not factual are being publicly disclosed as criminal allegations, and since the summons is being issued without any substantiated evidence, there is no justifiable reason for it. Therefore, a thorough investigation should be conducted before reconsidering the summons." He added, "It is necessary to first investigate those involved in the execution of the arrest warrant to determine whether there was any illegality during the process."
Former President Yoon has been booked on charges of instructing the Presidential Security Service to prevent his own arrest (obstruction of special official duties). Previously, the police requested former President Yoon to appear on the 5th, but he did not comply. On the 12th, the police issued a second summons notice.
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