SEOUL, June 28 (AJP) - Special prosecutor Jo Eun-seok questioned former President Yoon Suk-yeol on Saturday as a suspect in connection with the Dec. 3 martial law declaration and related charges, after Yoon arrived at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office through the main entrance at 9:55 AM. The questioning marks the first time the former leader has been investigated at the prosecution office where he once worked for over two decades, coming 16 days after the special prosecutor's office launched its investigation into allegations of insurrection and foreign exchange violations.
Yoon appeared as a suspect facing charges of obstruction of official duties and abuse of authority under the Presidential Security Service Act. The charges include allegedly instructing his security detail to prevent his arrest during a January warrant execution attempt and ordering the deletion of information from encrypted phones used by former military commanders following the martial law declaration on Dec. 7, 2024. Yoon declined to answer reporters' questions about why he chose not to use the underground parking garage or whether he would exercise his right to remain silent, entering the building directly with his lawyers Song Jin-ho and Chae Myung-sung.
Despite initial requests from Yoon's legal team to arrive privately through an underground parking garage to avoid media exposure, the former president ultimately complied with prosecutors' requirements for a public appearance through the main entrance. The special prosecutor's office had maintained that previous presidents who faced investigation all appeared before cameras, citing precedents involving former presidents Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, and Park Geun-hye who all had their prosecution appearances publicly documented.
The special prosecutor's investigation has proceeded rapidly since its establishment on Jun. 12, moving faster than two other special prosecutor offices launched simultaneously. The office has already secured additional indictments to extend detention periods for key figures including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and is pursuing arrest procedures for former military intelligence commanders. Following Friday's questioning, prosecutors will determine whether to conduct additional investigations or proceed with formal custody procedures for the former president.
reporter
Candice Kim
candicekim1121@ajupress.com
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