Cho Eunseok Special Prosecutor Team: "Cannot Accept Yoon's Request for Underground Parking Lot Entry"

Special Prosecutor: "Effectively Regarded as Refusal to Cooperate with Investigation"

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

The special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating the rebellion and treason cases related to the 12·3 Martial Law, stated that it cannot accept former President Yoon Sukyeol's request for a closed-door appearance.

Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung said at a press briefing that day, "Since the location and time of the appearance have already been made public, I don't really understand what a closed-door summons would mean. What the former president's side requested from us was simply to allow entry through the underground parking lot."

She continued, "None of the former presidents?Chun Doohwan, Roh Taewoo, Lee Myungbak, Park Geunhye, or Roh Moohyun?have ever entered through the underground parking lot," adding, "We informed the legal team that we cannot accept the request to change the method of entry."

Special Prosecutor Park also stated, "The former president's side submitted an opinion letter saying that if the request to use the underground parking lot is not granted, they cannot comply with the special prosecutor's summons," adding, "This can effectively be seen as a refusal to appear for questioning."

She further commented, "In such a situation, I think anyone would have no choice but to review the procedures under the Criminal Procedure Act." This is interpreted as meaning that, following the police, the special prosecutor may also consider reapplying for an arrest warrant due to the refusal to appear for questioning.

Previously, after the arrest warrant request for the former president was denied the previous day, the special prosecutor's team notified Yoon Sukyeol's side to appear at 9 a.m. on June 28. Subsequently, the former president's legal team requested to delay the appearance by one hour, to 10 a.m., and the special prosecutor's team accepted this request. Special Prosecutor Park stated regarding whether the questioning will proceed as scheduled on June 28, "Whether he appears or not is up to the former president's side," adding, "We hope the questioning will take place."