Insurrection Special Prosecutor Summons Yoon for Second Round of Questioning on July 1
"If Yoon Fails to Comply with Second Summons, Criminal Procedure Act Will Be Considered"
Kim Keon-hee and Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutors to Begin Full-Scale Investigations Soon
The special prosecutor's team investigating the insurrection has notified former President Yoon Suk-yeol to appear for a second round of questioning on July 1. Yoon's side requested that the summons be postponed until after July 3, citing the short notice, but the special prosecutor only delayed the date by one day from the original notification and took a firm stance, warning that they would proceed in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act if Yoon fails to comply.
According to legal sources on the 30th, the special prosecutor summoned Yoon as a suspect on the 28th and demanded that he appear again at 9 a.m. on the 30th. The second round of questioning is intended to revisit allegations that were not addressed at all during the first session, such as the order to delete information from the secret phone, and to further investigate allegations related to cabinet meetings and foreign exchange matters, for which only basic facts were confirmed in the first session. Although Yoon remained at the special prosecutor's office for 15 hours during the first summons, the actual questioning lasted only 5 hours and 5 minutes.
However, Yoon's side requested, "In consideration of health issues and the need to guarantee the right to defense in ongoing trials, please reschedule the appearance to after July 3." In response, the special prosecutor stated that, after considering all circumstances, they notified Yoon to appear at 9 a.m. on July 1.
Even though the special prosecutor partially accommodated Yoon's request by adjusting the appearance date, it appears that they are considering compulsory measures such as requesting an arrest warrant if Yoon continues to refuse the summons. Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young stated at a press briefing, "If the reasons for noncompliance with the July 1 summons are not convincing, we will have no choice but to proceed according to the procedures of the Criminal Procedure Act."
During the first round of questioning, Yoon's side abandoned their initial request to enter through the underground parking lot and complied with the special prosecutor's instructions by entering through the main entrance, but immediately after, they issued a statement criticizing the special prosecutor, leading to repeated confrontations. In response, the special prosecutor's team also warned that the actions of Yoon's attorneys had crossed the line and could be investigated as obstruction of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Kim Keon-hee and Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor teams will officially launch their investigations with opening ceremonies starting July 2. The Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor's office has been set up at KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, while the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor's office is located at Seocho Hansem Building in Seocho-gu, Seoul.
The Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor's team received all cases related to Mrs. Kim, as specified as targets of investigation under the special prosecutor act, from the prosecution, police, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials on June 29. Sixteen cases are subject to investigation, including allegations of stock price manipulation involving Mrs. Kim, the Myung Taegyun case, suspicions that corporations provided bribe-like sponsorships to exhibitions related to Covana Contents, and allegations of accepting expensive luxury goods. The Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor's team has requested the prosecution to dispatch the maximum number of 40 personnel allowed under the special prosecutor act.
The Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor's team has also completed requests for investigative personnel and is receiving investigation records. The team will investigate the cause and responsibility for the death of the late Sergeant Chae, as well as allegations of external pressure from the presidential office and others. Prosecutors and investigators dispatched from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, which has been investigating allegations of external pressure, the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office, which has been investigating charges of occupational negligence resulting in death, and the military, are expected to join the special prosecutor's team.
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