Controversy Over "Forced Execution" by Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor
"Executing a Warrant Without an Attorney Present Is Illegal"
Request Filed for Disclosure of CCTV and Bodycam Footage
Attorney Kyeri Kim has made a public statement regarding the controversy over procedural violations and the use of physical force during the execution of the arrest warrant by the Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor's Office.
On August 8, Attorney Kim stated on her YouTube channel, "The very fact that Democratic Party lawmaker Min Youngbae proposed an amendment to expand the grounds for correctional officers to use force is an admission that the special prosecutor's execution of the warrant on that day was illegal," strongly criticizing the move.
Attorney Kim claimed that during the warrant execution process, which took place around 6 a.m. that day, "the defense team was waiting at the detention center from 7:40 a.m. to ensure former President Yoon's right to counsel, but the special prosecutor deliberately attempted to execute the warrant at an early hour to avoid this." She further emphasized, "Interrogation of the suspect is within the realm of voluntary investigation, and forced attendance is legally impossible when the right to remain silent is being exercised."
Controversy Over Use of Force..."They Tried to Drag Him Out While Holding His Arms and Legs, Along With the Chair"
According to the defense team, during the warrant execution process, former President Yoon repeatedly requested to have his attorney present, but the detention center staff dismissed his requests, telling him to "be quiet," and lured him into the transfer chief's office. The defense team claims that, during the subsequent process of forcing him into a vehicle in front of the external exit, direct physical force was used on his body without an attorney present.
Former President Yoon Seokyeol is heading to Seoul Detention Center after completing the second pretrial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 9th of last month. Photo by Joint Press Corps
Attorney Kim explained that although former President Yoon requested his attorney, detention center staff tried to force him into the vehicle by locking arms with him, and in the process of dragging him out with his arms and legs while still in the chair, he suffered injuries to his waist and hips. In fact, during this process, former President Yoon reportedly "complained of pain in his arms and shoulders" and requested medical attention, after which he received treatment.
There were also revelations that the special prosecutor's office was issuing real-time instructions. According to Attorney Kim, on-site direction was given directly by Special Prosecutor Assistant Moon Hongjoo via speakerphone to the staff in charge, and the CRPT (emergency response team) was instructed to forcibly carry out the arrest. The statement, "There are ten people here, can't you get one person out?" was also made, further supporting the claim that the special prosecutor's office acted excessively in executing the warrant.
The Defense Team Calls It "An Unprecedented Illegal Execution in Constitutional History"...Requests Disclosure of CCTV and Bodycam Footage
The defense team claims that this execution was an unprecedented illegal act in constitutional history, and has filed a request for disclosure of all CCTV and bodycam footage of the process. They also indicated the possibility of legal action, pointing out that the identities of the CRPT officers involved in the transfer were not properly disclosed, and that it was impossible to verify their names and ranks even when requested.
Attorney Kim stated, "Today's execution is a case of abuse of authority related to the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor, and is separate from the previous insurrection case." She further explained that the reason for refusing to appear was that this was not an investigation to ascertain the substance of the case, but rather a politically motivated investigation.
Meanwhile, after this incident, former President Yoon received medical treatment for pain in the detention center's medical office. He requested to be transferred to Seoul National University Hospital due to the need for outside treatment, but this was denied on the grounds that it was not a designated hospital. As a result, he is reportedly coordinating his schedule with a designated hospital within the detention center.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
