Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor: "Yoon Strongly Refused Despite Use of Force"... Arrest Warrant Expires Today

Second Attempt to Execute Arrest Warrant Fails After August 1
Special Prosecutor: "Accepted On-Site Opinion of Injury Risk"
At a Crossroads: New Warrant Request or Indictment

On August 7, the special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations involving First Lady Kim Keonhee, attempted once again to execute an arrest warrant against former President Yoon Sukyeol, but failed for a second time. This renewed attempt came just one day after the first summons investigation of Mrs. Kim and six days after the initial failed attempt to execute the arrest warrant on August 1, but it was once again unsuccessful.

Yonhap News Agency

The special prosecutor team announced to the press on this day, "Starting at around 8:25 a.m., we attempted to execute the arrest warrant by employing physical force and other methods. However, we accepted the on-site opinion that there was a risk of injury due to the suspect's strong resistance," adding, "We halted the execution at 9:40 a.m."

On August 1, former President Yoon refused to cooperate with the first execution of the arrest warrant by lying on the floor without even wearing a prison uniform, and it appears he again offered no cooperation on this day. Since being re-detained on July 10, Yoon has refused both the special prosecutor team's summons and the trial for insurrection, citing health problems.

After the first attempt to execute the arrest warrant, the special prosecutor team stated in a media briefing that they had notified former President Yoon that "next time, we will complete the execution even if we have to use physical force." In connection with this, Justice Minister Chung Sungho on August 6 instructed Seoul Detention Center to "actively cooperate with the special prosecutor's execution of the arrest warrant so that strict and fair law enforcement is carried out in accordance with the law and principles."

The validity period of the arrest warrant for former President Yoon expires on this day. The special prosecutor team is expected to consider whether to seek a new warrant. However, even if they succeed in bringing Yoon into the interrogation room, there is a high possibility that he will exercise his right to remain silent, raising the possibility that he may be indicted without a face-to-face investigation.