Only a War of Nerves in the First Session
Key Issues: Abuse of Authority and Foreign Exchange Charges
Possibility of Final Face-to-Face Questioning
Former President Yoon Sukyeol will undergo his second summons investigation by the special prosecutor team on rebellion, led by Cho Eunseok, on July 5. Since the first investigation ended in a standoff without a substantive inquiry into the core charges, this second session is expected to serve as a critical turning point in piecing together the investigation centered on the former president.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is attending the 9th 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 July 3, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
According to legal sources on July 4, the special prosecutor team notified former President Yoon to appear at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office at 9 a.m. on July 5. Yoon’s legal team stated, “Even if we are a bit late, we will appear and provide testimony.”
This investigation will focus on allegations of abuse of authority during Cabinet meetings and charges related to foreign exchange violations in connection with North Korean provocations. The special prosecutor team has already summoned former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and others in succession to reconstruct the Cabinet meetings held during the martial law period. Testimonies from previous witnesses and that of former President Yoon will be cross-examined.
The special prosecutor team is also examining whether these individuals knowingly condoned or supported the push for martial law. Regarding the foreign exchange charges, investigators are concentrating on evidence suggesting that former President Yoon attempted to provoke North Korean military actions to justify martial law. Unresolved issues from the first summons on June 28, such as obstruction of the execution of an arrest warrant and orders to delete records of encrypted phone calls, will also be pursued again.
Since launching the investigation on June 18, just six days after its establishment, the special prosecutor team has accelerated the probe by indicting additional figures, including former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun. At the same time, they have been summoning key witnesses and suspects in succession, further clarifying the structure of the charges with former President Yoon at its center.
Given the rapid pace of the investigation, there is a possibility that this could be the final face-to-face questioning. After establishing the facts, the special prosecutor team is expected to discuss whether to request an arrest warrant for former President Yoon.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
