Yoon Refuses Special Prosecutor's Summons Twice Citing "Health" Reasons
Court Issues Arrest Warrant This Morning
Detention Center Officer to Execute Warrant Tomorrow Under Supervision of Special Prosecutor Assistant Moon Hongju
The arrest warrant requested by the special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, for former President Yoon Sukyeol, was issued by the court on July 31. The Kim Keonhee special prosecutor team has decided to visit Seoul Detention Center, where former President Yoon is being held, at 9 a.m. on August 1 to attempt to execute the arrest warrant in person.
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
Special Prosecutor Assistant Moon Hongju stated at a regular briefing that "Yesterday afternoon, we requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon, and the Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant this morning," adding, "Tomorrow at 9 a.m., the special prosecutor assistant, accompanied by prosecutors and investigators, will visit Seoul Detention Center to execute the arrest warrant."
He further explained, "The correctional officer will carry out the actual execution, and we plan to secure custody with the help of the detention center," and added, "We have been informed that there are no particular health issues." Assistant Prosecutor Moon has decided to personally visit the detention center to oversee the process.
Previously, former President Yoon cited health issues and did not comply with the special prosecutor team's summons both on July 29 and the following day. As a result, the special prosecutor team determined that former President Yoon had no intention to appear and requested an arrest warrant the previous day, which was issued by the court today. The warrant is valid until August 7.
Former President Yoon has been detained by the insurrection special prosecutor team and held at Seoul Detention Center since July 10.
However, even if the special prosecutor team executes the arrest warrant and brings former President Yoon into the interrogation room, it is highly likely that he will exercise his right to remain silent. As of today, former President Yoon has not submitted a power of attorney to appoint legal counsel.
Former President Yoon is suspected of promising a party nomination to so-called "political broker" Myung Taegyun in exchange for opinion poll services. He is also alleged to have received free opinion poll services from Myung during the 2022 presidential election and to have been involved in ensuring the nomination of former lawmaker Kim Youngsun in the parliamentary by-election held in June of the same year.
Myung, the key figure in the "nomination interference allegations," appeared at the special prosecutor's office as a suspect on the morning of July 31 and is being questioned. Myung, who faces charges including bribery and violation of the Political Funds Act, is scheduled to be questioned over two days until August 1. It has been determined that Myung provided a total of 81 free opinion polls.
Additionally, the special prosecutor team is questioning former Unification Church World Headquarters chief Yoon, who is suspected in the "Geonjinbubsa solicitation" case, for the first time since his arrest. Yoon was arrested on July 30 on charges of delivering expensive diamond necklaces and Chanel bags to Mrs. Kim through Geonjinbubsa Jeon Seongbae between April and August 2022, in exchange for favors regarding church matters.
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