Special Prosecutor Investigates Correctional Officer as Witness over Failed Forced Escort of Yoon Sukyeol

Seoul Detention Center Faces Dilemma Over Use of Force on Former President
Special Prosecutor: "Yoon Should Set the Standard for the Criminal Justice System"

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

The special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating allegations related to the 12·3 Martial Law, conducted a witness interview with a correctional officer at Seoul Detention Center to determine the circumstances regarding the lack of forced escort of former President Yoon Sukyeol.

On July 15, Special Prosecutor Park Jiyoung stated, "We investigated the specific circumstances under which the correctional officer at Seoul Detention Center failed to execute the escort order for the suspect, Yoon Sukyeol."

The special prosecutor team requested former President Yoon to appear for questioning on July 11 and again the previous day, but Yoon's side refused, citing health reasons. Subsequently, the special prosecutor team issued escort orders to Seoul Detention Center twice?once the previous day and again on this day?directing that former President Yoon be brought to the interrogation room. However, the escort was not carried out, with the explanation that it was difficult to use physical force against a former president.

Special Prosecutor Park stated, "The suspect's legal team has not expressed any intention regarding the investigation following the first escort order issued yesterday," and added, "We consider this a refusal to participate in the investigation itself."

The special prosecutor team is considering various options, including continuing to issue escort orders, indicting without further questioning or extension of detention, and other possible courses of action.

On this day, former President Yoon's legal team released a statement saying, "If the purpose is a face-to-face investigation, the location is not essential," and added, "In fact, in the past, there have been cases where investigative agencies visited detention centers to question two former presidents."

In response, Special Prosecutor Park countered, "The suspect is a former president who also served as prosecutor general, and should serve as a standard for the criminal justice system more than anyone else," adding, "Such a response from the suspect could easily be transmitted to the general public as well."