Police Summon Former President Yoon Seok-yeol for Questioning

On June 9, police announced that they have summoned former President Yoon Seok-yeol for questioning regarding allegations that he attempted to obstruct the execution of an arrest warrant against him and ordered the deletion of sensitive phone records from the Presidential Security Service. This marks the first time police have requested Yoon's appearance since the declaration of a state of emergency on December 3.

During a regular briefing, a member of the police's special investigation team stated that Yoon was asked to appear on June 5 but did not comply. The police communicated this request through Yoon's legal counsel, who provided reasons for his noncompliance, although specific details were not disclosed. A second summons is scheduled for June 12.

Yoon is already under investigation for allegedly instructing the Presidential Security Service to prevent his arrest during a police operation in January. Additionally, police have confirmed that Yoon directed the deletion of sensitive information related to several military commanders from secure phones four days after the emergency was declared.

On December 7, Yoon reportedly contacted Kim Sung-hoon, the deputy chief of the Presidential Security Service, asking about the regulations regarding server deletions and the frequency of such actions. Following this conversation, Yoon allegedly pressed Kim on whether it was acceptable to leave secure phones untouched for individuals under investigation.

When asked if they would consider applying for an arrest warrant should Yoon refuse to comply with a third summons, police stated that they are currently only at the second summons stage and could not comment further.

The police have completed most analyses of the secure phone server and surveillance footage from the Cabinet meeting on the day of the emergency declaration. Reports indicate that Yoon made direct calls to key officials immediately after the emergency was announced.

Furthermore, police confirmed that information from the secure phone of former Intelligence Command Chief Noh Sang-won, who is suspected of conspiring with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun regarding the emergency declaration, was deleted on December 5. Noh, who was a civilian at the time, received a secure phone from Kim and returned it after the emergency was declared, during which the deletion occurred. The reset secure phone is currently held by the Presidential Security Service.

Additionally, police have summoned Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong and Unification Minister Kim Young-ho, who attended the Cabinet meeting before the emergency declaration, to investigate the circumstances surrounding that meeting. Both ministers are currently under investigation for insurrection-related charges. Police noted that all Cabinet members present at the meeting prior to the emergency declaration have been reported as suspects.