Special Counsel Demands Yoon to Appear at 2 p.m. on the 11th... First Summons Since Detention

Uncertainty Remains Over Yoon's Cooperation with Investigation
Possible Measures Include Forced Summons or On-Site Detention Center Inquiry if He Refuses

The special investigation team led by Cho Eunseok, tasked with investigating insurrection charges, has demanded that former President Yoon Sukyeol appear for questioning on July 11. If Yoon complies, this will mark his first summons for questioning by the special counsel since being rearrested on charges including abuse of power.

Yonhap News

On July 10, the special counsel announced to the media, "We have requested that former President Yoon appear at 2:00 p.m. on the 11th."

On July 6, the special counsel requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon on five charges, including obstructing Cabinet members' authority to deliberate on martial law, drafting and destroying a false martial law declaration after the fact, among others.

Nam Sejin, chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, issued the arrest warrant at approximately 2:07 a.m. that day, stating, "There is reasonable and sufficient cause to suspect the alleged crimes, and there is concern about the destruction of evidence."

During the detention period, which can last up to 20 days, the special counsel is expected to question former President Yoon about the criminal acts specified in the arrest warrant, and, with his consent, also investigate foreign exchange-related allegations.

However, it remains unclear whether former President Yoon will comply with the investigation.

On the same day, former President Yoon did not appear at his trial on charges of leading an insurrection at the Seoul Central District Court, having submitted a statement of non-attendance due to health reasons. His attorneys were reported to have visited him at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province for a meeting.

If former President Yoon continues to refuse to comply with the investigation, there is a possibility that the special counsel may seek to forcibly bring him in from the detention center or attempt to conduct an on-site investigation within the facility.

At a briefing that day, Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated, "The investigation methods will, of course, take into account the status of a former president within the limits of what is generally acceptable to society," adding, "However, aside from that, he will not be treated differently from any other suspect."