Former President Yoon Suk-yeol Fails to Comply with Special Investigation Team's Inquiry

On June 28, former President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu for questioning by the special investigation team regarding insurrection allegations. However, the team reported that Yoon has been uncooperative since 1:30 PM, effectively halting the investigation after only about an hour of questioning.

During a briefing at 3:15 PM, Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young stated that the morning session had proceeded well, but after lunch, Yoon's legal team demanded a change of investigators, leading to his refusal to enter the interrogation room. Park emphasized that not entering the room is tantamount to refusing to appear, likening it to a defendant sitting in the audience rather than at the defendant's table in court.

In the morning session, the special investigation team, led by Police Chief Park Chang-hwan, questioned Yoon regarding allegations of obstructing the execution of an arrest warrant. Yoon's legal representatives raised concerns, claiming that Park was the one who directed the illegal arrest and had been reported for it. However, Park clarified that the execution of the arrest warrant was under the jurisdiction of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, asserting that Park was not involved. This explanation was reportedly communicated to Yoon's team.

Park further stated that simply being reported does not exempt investigators or judicial police officers from their duties, as it could paralyze the criminal justice process. He noted that there is no law preventing a former president from being subject to police investigations, equating the refusal to acknowledge the police system to a denial of justice itself. He also warned that any attempts to obstruct the investigation with false information would be met with a firm response, indicating that they might initiate an investigation into such claims. However, he clarified that they are not currently considering an investigation targeting specific attorneys.

The special investigation team began questioning at 10:14 AM, which lasted for about an hour before being interrupted. During this time, Yoon did not exercise his right to remain silent and answered questions posed by Chief Park. Park questioned the notion of a suspect choosing their investigator, stating that no one in the country has that privilege. He added that they are still trying to persuade Yoon to continue the investigation.

If the standoff at the interrogation room persists, the special investigation team may consider it as non-compliance and will evaluate subsequent actions. When asked if they were considering requesting an arrest warrant, Park responded that they would review actions in accordance with criminal procedure law but could not confirm an arrest warrant request at this time. He reiterated that the investigator currently handling the case would be the one to conclude the investigation, indicating that they would not accommodate Yoon's request for a change of investigators.