Kim Byeong-ki, the acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized former President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 16th for refusing the special prosecutor's investigation into the insurrection and officially demanded the enforcement of the special prosecution's compulsory investigation rights and a responsible response from the correctional authorities.

Kim Byung-ki, the acting leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and floor leader (the third from the right), speaks at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

Kim noted at the party's supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "Yoon Suk-yeol's shamelessness is going over the line," adding, "The re-arrested Yoon Suk-yeol is blatantly refusing the special prosecutor's investigation. This is a clear violation of the Special Prosecutor Act." He further criticized, "The correctional authorities' inability to enforce his appearance due to Yoon's resistance is a significant issue."

Kim particularly pointed out that the former president's side mocked the special prosecutor by mentioning General Eulji Mundeok's poem, saying, "Did you go to the prison for a visit?" He added, "It is ironic that one who has violated democracy enjoys the protection of democratic legal procedures. It is arrogant and shameless. To put it bluntly, it is insane."

Earlier, following his re-arrest, former President Yoon's side, which had been refusing to attend the special prosecution every day, criticized the special prosecution investigation through a lengthy statement the previous day. The statement included the message, "If the purpose is to display the agency's might and authority, I advise you to know satisfaction and stop." This was interpreted as a reference to the five-character poem (五言詩) sent by General Eulji Mundeok to the Sui Dynasty army before the Battle of Salsu, which states, "Having won every battle, my achievements are already high, so wouldn't it be good to know sufficiency and stop? (神策究天文 妙算窮地理 戰勝功旣高 知足願云止)"

Kim also urged, "If it were an ordinary inmate who didn't want to undergo an investigation, would they be granted a refusal? This is also a clear privilege. The special prosecutor should use all means and methods allowed by law to pull Yoon Suk-yeol out of his prison cell for an investigation."

He added, "Please consider the legal responsibilities of the correctional authorities for not complying with the directives of the special prosecutor."

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