Special Counsel Renews Effort to Question Yoon Suk Yeol
Yoon Suk Yeol martial law case escalates as South Korea’s special counsel makes a second attempt to question the detained ex-president.
Led by Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk, the team has formally requested the Seoul Detention Center to bring Yoon in for questioning at 2 p.m. local time.
Despite repeated summonses since his second arrest last Thursday, Yoon has refused to leave his cell, citing his former presidential status. The team previously admitted they could not use force to compel him.
A Former President Under Fire
The investigation centers around five major charges, including:
- Violating the civil and constitutional rights of Cabinet members by selectively calling only loyalists to a key December 3 meeting.
- Drafting a false martial law declaration and circulating it internally to gain legitimacy.
- Allegedly discarding the original document after securing symbolic signatures from then Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
A Pattern of Defiance
Yoon’s second arrest follows an earlier January 2025 detention, from which he was released in March after a court overturned the arrest. Since then, he has been on trial for insurrection and abuse of power charges tied to the failed martial law bid.
Sources suggest that if Yoon continues to defy questioning, the special counsel may indict him without further interrogation.
Will Yoon Cooperate?
There remains little optimism that Yoon will comply with Tuesday’s summons. If he resists again, investigators may travel to the detention center to confront him directly. However, legal experts say he can still refuse to cooperate, slowing the process further.
Implications at the National Level
This inquiry presents a serious legal and political challenge to the extent of responsibility for former South Korean governmental leaders.
While critics contend that Yoon’s refusal to take part shows disregard for democratic institutions, his legal team contends that the investigation is politically motivated.
Source: The Hawk
