Yoon's Legal Team Protests Second Attempt to Execute Special Prosecutor's Arrest Warrant
"Use of Physical Force Against Exercise of Right to Remain Silent"
"Special Prosecutor Manipulates Public Opinion in Desired Direction"
Former President Yoon Sukyeol's legal team strongly objected to Special Prosecutor Min Jungki's attempt to execute the arrest warrant again, calling it a "public humiliation show." On this day, the special prosecutor's team attempted to arrest the former president using physical force, but announced that the attempt failed due to Yoon's strong resistance.
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
On August 7, Yoon's legal representatives issued a statement saying, "Former President Yoon cannot comply with a one-sided investigation predetermined by the special prosecutor," and argued, "Even if an arrest warrant has been issued, if the former president chooses to exercise his right to remain silent, the warrant should not be executed."
They added, "The issuance of a warrant does not guarantee perfect legality," and continued, "All principles of the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act, as well as standards regarding the rights of suspects, must not be undermined just to publicly humiliate former President Yoon."
The legal team also mentioned former President Moon Jaein, arguing that an interrogation of the suspect is not an essential procedure. They explained, "If a suspect refuses to testify, the prosecution can decide whether to indict based on existing evidence and statements," and added, "Former President Moon also refused to comply with the prosecution's summons, and in that case, the prosecution indicted him without conducting an investigation."
The legal team stated, "If the special prosecutor uses physical force to forcibly bring in former President Yoon, it would be an admission that the real purpose is not investigation, but public humiliation," and continued, "Furthermore, distorting the emergency martial law as insurrection and treason, and staging a show to manipulate public opinion in the desired direction, is no different."
Earlier that morning, the special prosecutor's team again attempted to execute the arrest warrant for Yoon but failed once more. In a notice to the media, the special prosecutor's team stated, "From around 8:25 a.m., we attempted to execute the arrest warrant using physical force, but accepted on-site opinions that there were concerns about possible injuries due to the suspect's strong resistance," and added, "We stopped the attempt at 9:40 a.m."
On July 1, Yoon refused the first attempt to execute the arrest warrant by lying on the floor without even wearing a prison uniform, and again on this day, he appeared to offer no cooperation. Since being re-detained on July 10, Yoon has refused all requests from the special prosecutor to appear and to attend the insurrection trial, citing health reasons. The arrest warrant for Yoon expires on August 7.
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