Democratic Party Slams "Legal Loach" Yoon's Tactic Appearance: "Only Arrest Remains Now"

"No Will to Reveal the Truth... Special Prosecutor Must Launch Compulsory Investigation"
Yoon Attended Morning Inquiry but Effectively Refused to Appear in the Afternoon

The Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized former President Yoon Sukyeol on the 28th for appearing before the special prosecutor investigating insurrection charges, stating, "He has no intention of revealing the truth and only appeared to obstruct the investigation." The Democratic Party demanded that the special prosecutor immediately begin a compulsory investigation. Former President Yoon attended his first direct investigation by the special prosecutor for insurrection in the morning, but from the afternoon, he effectively refused to participate by demanding a change of investigator.

Baek Seunga, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, commented, "Yoon Sukyeol reluctantly appeared before the special prosecutor after employing every possible trick like a 'legal loach,' but it was nothing more than another show to deceive the public." She added, "No further leniency should be shown to the ringleader of insurrection who mocks the law and deceives the people." She continued, "He lacks even the minimum sense of shame and conscience to apologize to the people for the illegal martial law and insurrection or to cooperate in uncovering the substantive truth," and criticized, "The public is now enraged by the livelihood crisis, the sweltering heat, and Yoon Sukyeol's tricks."

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 Joint Press Corps

She further stated, "In order to uncover the truth and uphold law and justice, the special prosecutor must immediately initiate a compulsory investigation," emphasizing, "Now is the time to act decisively." She went on to say, "Former President Yoon once said, 'Anyone who refuses a special prosecutor is the criminal,' but in reality, he exercised the presidential veto to block the special prosecutor in order to protect Kim Keonhee and his family." She argued, "This is tantamount to confessing that he himself is the criminal."

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor for insurrection summoned former President Yoon just ten days after launching the investigation. Former President Yoon underwent his first direct investigation by the special prosecutor at 10:14 a.m. The investigation focused on allegations that he instructed the Presidential Security Service in January to block the execution of an arrest warrant by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (obstruction of arrest). The morning session was conducted by Park Changhwan, head of the Major Crimes Investigation Division at the National Police Agency.

However, according to the special prosecutor, former President Yoon has effectively refused to participate in the investigation since the afternoon by demanding a change of investigator. The special prosecutor's team, led by Cho Eonseok, stated, "Former President Yoon is effectively refusing to appear," and added, "We consider such actions to be obstruction of the investigation and will consider legal action against the defense team for spreading false information and interfering with the investigation."