Follow-up Measures After Handover to Prosecution and Police
Special Prosecutor's Team: "Due to Change in Agency Responsible for Maintaining the Indictment"
On June 25, it was confirmed that the special prosecutor's team for rebellion, led by Cho Eunseok, has imposed a travel ban on former President Yoon Sukyeol.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the 8th trial session for charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of authority obstructing the exercise of rights at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on June 23, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
After the special prosecutor's office took over the case from the prosecution and police, responsibility for maintaining the indictment in the case already on trial was transferred from the Prosecution’s Emergency Martial Law Special Investigation Headquarters to the special prosecutor. Accordingly, the special prosecutor imposed a new travel ban based on its own judgment.
The special prosecutor's office stated, "If detention is canceled or bail is granted while the trial is ongoing, the necessity of a travel ban is reviewed and implemented. When the agency responsible for maintaining the indictment changes, the new agency reassesses and applies for the travel ban if necessary."
Previously, on December 9 last year, the Ministry of Justice imposed a travel ban on former President Yoon at the request of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and other agencies. Subsequently, on January 19, the Prosecution’s Special Investigation Headquarters arrested former President Yoon, and on January 26, he was indicted and detained on charges including leading a rebellion.
After the court decided to cancel his detention, the prosecution imposed an additional travel ban, preventing former President Yoon from leaving the country.
On June 24, Special Prosecutor Cho requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon. This is the first major move against the central figure in the case, coming just six days after the investigation began. The charges listed in the arrest warrant include obstruction of the execution of arrest warrants by the police and the Corruption Investigation Office, as well as ordering the deletion of secure phone records. The police, who initially handled the investigation, summoned former President Yoon three times, but he refused to comply.
On this day, former President Yoon’s legal team announced that they had submitted an opinion to the court, arguing that the arrest warrant lacked procedural legitimacy.
The court’s decision on whether to issue the arrest warrant could be announced on June 25. If the arrest warrant is issued, the special prosecutor's team is expected to immediately proceed with its execution.
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