Former President Yoon Suk-yeol is not responding to the third request for attendance from the police special investigation team on the 19th.
Yoon's attorney, Yoon Gap-geun, noted on this day, 'It is not that we are not responding to the police's request for attendance, but that the conditions for the request must be met.' He asserted that 'investigations must be conducted within the minimum necessary scope to ensure citizens' freedom and human rights, and must maintain fairness and reasonableness, while adhering to strict legal procedures.'
Former President Yoon sent a statement to the police on the 17th that included claims of 'no legal violation established and no involvement or direction given by him regarding the allegations applied by the police.'
Former President Yoon faces allegations of hindering special public service execution by instructing the presidential security service to prevent his arrest in January. He is also accused of abusing his power in connection with the presidential security service for instructing officials to delete information related to military commanders’ secure phones four days after the declaration of martial law on December 7 last year.
The police have stated they will watch for Yoon's attendance until 6 p.m., when regular working hours end. If former President Yoon does not respond to the third request for attendance that day, plans to secure him through an arrest or detention warrant may be considered.
Typically, investigative agencies will review coercive measures if an individual does not respond to three requests for attendance without just cause. A police official stated, 'Plans for securing Yoon, if necessary, will be carried out in consultation with Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok.' If the police pursue securing him, the possibility of consulting with Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok is raised as the 'insurrection special prosecutor' is on the verge of launching.