Yoon Submitted Statement of Nonattendance the Previous Day
Former President Yoon Sukyeol, who was re-arrested by the special prosecutor's team led by Cho Eunseok investigating insurrection charges, refused to attend the team's first post-detention questioning on July 11, citing "health reasons."
Former President Yoon Sukyeol is heading to Seoul Detention Center after completing the second pre-arrest suspect hearing (warrant review) held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on July 9, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated at a regular briefing that "Former President Yoon was summoned at 2 p.m. today, but he submitted a written statement of nonattendance, claiming he could not comply due to health reasons."
She added, "Accordingly, the special prosecutor's team has requested documentation from Seoul Detention Center to verify whether any health issues preventing him from appearing for questioning were identified during the admission process. We will take the appropriate next steps after reviewing the materials."
When asked whether there were any options besides compulsory escort, she replied, "If the absence is not deemed legitimate, we will proceed according to the procedures set out in the Criminal Procedure Act." This response is interpreted as leaving open the possibility of compulsory measures, such as bringing in the detainee for questioning, if there is no valid reason for nonattendance.
Yoon's legal team stated, "At around 11:20 a.m. today, the detention center directly delivered the original copy of former President Yoon's statement of nonattendance to the special prosecutor."
The special prosecutor's team had previously notified former President Yoon, who has been held at Seoul Detention Center since the issuance of a detention warrant on July 10, to appear at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office for questioning by 2 p.m. on this day. However, it was confirmed that former President Yoon submitted a written statement of nonattendance through the detention center, indicating his intention not to comply with the questioning.
It was reported that the statement of nonattendance did not specify any particular or detailed reason other than health issues.
Former President Yoon also refused to comply with investigative summons when he was arrested and detained on insurrection and other charges in January. At that time, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials attempted compulsory escort and on-site questioning on three occasions, but former President Yoon continued to meet with his legal counsel and did not comply with the investigation.
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