Yoon’s special counsel questioning intensified as prosecutors made their third attempt to bring in former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Previous efforts failed when Yoon refused to cooperate, citing ongoing health issues. The special counsel remains determined to question him regarding charges tied to his alleged martial law.
The team sent instructions to the Seoul Detention Center to escort Yoon to the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office for interrogation. Yoon has been held in the detention center following his second arrest over accusations of attempting to impose martial law. Officials aim to question him about events surrounding a controversial meeting that took place in early December.
Despite repeated summonses, Yoon continues to decline participation, fueling speculation that prosecutors may indict him without direct questioning. Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young confirmed this possibility, calling it one of several legal options under review. The situation has attracted widespread public interest and raised concerns about accountability for former leaders.
Yoon’s legal team criticized the special counsel’s insistence on moving him to another location for questioning. They argued that questioning could take place within the detention center itself. According to his lawyers, the attempts to escort him are “acts designed to publicly humiliate a former president.”
However, the special counsel defended their actions, emphasizing that summoning an arrested suspect for questioning aligns with standard criminal procedures. They noted that proper interrogation requires access to specific facilities unavailable within the detention center. This reasoning has become a focal point of the legal standoff between both sides.
The charges against Yoon include five major allegations. One involves violating Cabinet members’ rights by inviting only a select few to a critical meeting. Prosecutors believe this meeting occurred shortly before Yoon declared martial law. His exclusion of certain officials allegedly undermined democratic processes and consolidated power unlawfully.
Investigators also suspect Yoon of creating a false martial law declaration document after the initial announcement. Reports claim he persuaded then-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to sign the document. They allege Yoon later discarded the paper to conceal evidence of wrongdoing.
In addition, Yoon currently faces trial on separate charges of insurrection and abuse of power connected to his martial law attempt. These cases reflect broader efforts to hold former presidents accountable for actions taken while in office. The Yoon special counsel questioning has now become a symbol of the tension between legal authority and political resistance.
As the investigation continues, prosecutors face mounting pressure to resolve the matter quickly. Whether Yoon appears for questioning or not, his legal battles will likely shape public debates on justice and presidential power for years to come.
