Chief Superintendent Park Changhwan, Morning Investigation on 'Obstruction of Arrest' Charges
Yoon's Legal Team: "Exclude Police Officers Who Have Been Reported"
Special Prosecutor for Insurrection: "Considering Case Connections"
Yoon Undergoes Investigation Without Exercising Right to Remain Silent
Afternoon Session Expected to Cover Cabinet Meeting and Foreign Exchange Charges
On the 28th, the morning investigation of former President Yoon Sukyeol by the Special Prosecutor for Internal Affairs concluded after approximately two hours and thirty minutes. The face-to-face questioning was conducted by dispatched police officers who have been investigating charges such as obstruction of the execution of an arrest warrant. Meanwhile, former President Yoon's legal team protested, insisting that a prosecutor should conduct the questioning directly.
The Special Prosecutor's Office announced to the media at 12:44 p.m. that "the morning investigation proceeded smoothly" and stated, "Once the investigation related to obstruction of arrest is completed, we will proceed with inquiries regarding the Cabinet meeting resolutions and related foreign exchange matters." Former President Yoon had a brief ten-minute meeting with Special Prosecutor Park Eoksoo and Deputy Special Prosecutor Jang Woosung in a room adjacent to the interrogation room to express his views before immediately participating in the investigation.
Starting at 10:14 a.m., the Special Prosecutor focused on allegations that former President Yoon instructed the Presidential Security Service in January to prevent the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials from executing an arrest warrant. The investigation was led by Chief Superintendent Park Changhwan, head of the Major Crimes Investigation Division at the National Police Agency, who has been handling this case. Inspectors Choi Sangjin and Lee Jeongpil from the same division also participated in the investigation.
After concluding the investigation on obstruction of arrest, the Special Prosecutor plans to continue with inquiries into the Cabinet meeting resolutions before and after the declaration of martial law, as well as allegations related to foreign exchange violations. Deputy Chief Prosecutors Kim Jeongguk and Jo Jaechul are scheduled to conduct these investigations. The Special Prosecutor Act includes provisions regarding the possibility that former President Yoon may have attempted to provoke North Korea, which could constitute a foreign exchange offense.
In response, former President Yoon's legal team issued a statement to the media immediately after the morning session, criticizing the Special Prosecutor for "such poor investigative capabilities that they must rely on dispatched police officers" and demanded that these officers be excluded from the investigation.
The legal team stated, "We have filed complaints against the police officers involved for illegal acts disguised as official duties, and Chief Superintendent Park Changhwan, who is currently conducting the investigation, has also been reported for directing illegal arrests." They added, "The attorneys present at the investigation are demanding that a prosecutor conduct the questioning directly, and that the police officers who have been reported for misconduct be excluded from the investigation due to conflicts of interest and a clear lack of impartiality."
They continued, "Although the Special Prosecutor's Office, the largest in history, demonstrated confidence by commencing the investigation without a preparation period, it is now displaying such inadequate investigative capabilities that it must rely on the police for questioning." They further claimed, "Nevertheless, the Special Prosecutor is self-congratulatory, announcing that the morning investigation went well."
Earlier that morning, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated at a press briefing, "Considering the connection of the cases, Chief Superintendent Park, who has led the investigation from the beginning, is conducting this inquiry," and emphasized, "This is solely based on investigative logic and efficiency."
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park added, "Depending on the length of the investigation, we plan to conduct inquiries into foreign exchange offenses as well, if possible, today," and noted, "As far as I know, a substantial amount of material has been prepared for the investigation into the foreign exchange charges."
Regarding whether former President Yoon would exercise his right to remain silent, Park stated, "As of now, former President Yoon has not exercised his right to remain silent and is expected to provide a full statement."
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is appearing at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office building in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 28th to undergo investigation by the Special Prosecutor for Internal Affairs as a suspect. Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, at around 9:55 a.m., former President Yoon arrived at the main entrance of the building, where a photo line for the press had been set up, while riding in a security vehicle. Initially, Yoon's team intended for him to enter the building privately via the underground parking lot of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, where the Special Prosecutor's team is located. However, after the Special Prosecutor's team reiterated that this was not permitted, he ultimately made a public appearance through the main entrance.
Wearing a black suit and a red tie, former President Yoon exited the vehicle and entered the building in about ten seconds. He did not respond to questions from reporters, such as "Is there a reason you did not use the underground parking lot?", "How do you feel about facing Special Prosecutor Eunseok Jo as a suspect after eight years?", or "Will you exercise your right to remain silent again this time?"
It appears that former President Yoon will have lunch inside the prosecutors' office building before undergoing the afternoon investigation. If former President Yoon agrees, the Special Prosecutor's team plans to conduct a late-night investigation as well.
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