Former President Yoon Suk-yeol Appears for Interrogation in Coup Investigation

On the morning of June 28, 2025, former President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived at the Special Investigation Office for the Coup at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to undergo questioning. Prior to his appearance, Yoon engaged in a back-and-forth with the special prosecutor, Cho Eun-seok, regarding whether he would attend the session privately, but ultimately chose to appear publicly.

The special investigation team, which was established on June 10, announced the start of its investigation just eight days later. After a previous arrest warrant was dismissed, Yoon faced the team for the first time ten days later.

Around 9:50 AM, Yoon departed his residence in a black van and arrived at the courthouse shortly after, passing through the east gate of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The van briefly stopped on the uphill path leading to the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office before heading to the entrance. Initially, Yoon's team had indicated they would enter through the underground parking, stating they would not comply with a public summons, but they later retracted this and opted for a public appearance in the lobby.

In preparation for Yoon's arrival, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office set up metal and plastic barricades around 8 AM to block vehicle access to the underground parking. A police tactical unit of 480 officers and personnel from the Presidential Security Service were also deployed.

Dressed in a navy suit and a red tie, Yoon stepped out of the van at approximately 9:56 AM and stood before a crowd of over 100 reporters in the lobby. When asked questions such as why he did not enter through the underground parking, his thoughts on meeting Cho Eun-seok as a suspect for the first time in eight years, and whether he would exercise his right to remain silent, Yoon did not respond and quickly walked towards the interrogation room, accompanied by his lawyers, Kim Hong-il and Chae Myung-sung.

The interrogation began at 10:14 AM, with the special investigation team expected to question Yoon about allegations that he instructed the Presidential Security Service to prevent the execution of an arrest warrant in January and ordered the deletion of materials related to the emergency martial law shortly thereafter.