Former President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared before the special prosecutor on the 28th but reportedly did not respond to the afternoon investigation. The morning investigation proceeded normally, but after finishing lunch, when they attempted to conduct the afternoon investigation starting at 1:30 p.m., it is said that former President Yoon did not enter the investigation room. The special prosecutor was scheduled to investigate allegations that former President Yoon attempted to induce a North Korean attack during the declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3.
Special prosecutor Park Ji-young said at a press briefing at 3:15 p.m. that, 'We conducted an investigation from 10:14 a.m. for about one hour, and after lunch, we attempted to resume the investigation starting at 1:30 p.m., but the former president’s side is refusing to enter the investigation room, demanding a change of interrogators,' adding that it is 'effectively refusing the investigation.'
Former President Yoon attended the special prosecutor's office at 9:55 a.m. The morning investigation reportedly began at 10:14 a.m., where a police officer dispatched to the special prosecutor's office conducted the investigation regarding the allegations of obstructing arrest and evidence destruction against former President Yoon. The investigation, which lasted about one hour, was interrupted during the obstruction of arrest investigation, and it is known that the investigation regarding the deletion of sensitive phone information was not conducted.
In this regard, former President Yoon's legal team stated to the press, 'We have already reported the police personnel involved, and the current police chief Park Chang-hwan, who is conducting the investigation, has also been reported for directing the illegal arrest.'
In response, Special Prosecutor Park noted at the briefing that 'it can only be evaluated that former President Yoon's lawyers are obstructing the investigation while spreading false information,' stating that 'obstructing the investigation with false information is crossing the line. We are also considering notifying the Korean Bar Association about the investigation into the obstruction of the investigation.'
Special Prosecutor Park also stated, 'Police chief Park was not present at the scene for the execution of the first arrest warrant against former President Yoon and has had no involvement in the command,' adding that 'the former president's side does not acknowledge the police investigation system itself.'
Special Prosecutor Park further explained, 'While individuals can refuse to testify in the investigation room, not entering the investigation room from the waiting room is equivalent to refusing to appear,' and added, 'If the refusal continues, we will consider the next steps according to the Criminal Procedure Act.'
When reporters asked whether they would request an arrest warrant, Special Prosecutor Park responded, 'It is difficult to make a definitive conclusion. We will review the measures under the Criminal Procedure Act.'
Special Prosecutor Park continued, 'If they remain in the waiting room while maintaining a parallel stance, we will consider this as a refusal to appear and will make a decision.' When reporters asked if this meant they would request them to appear again tomorrow, Special Prosecutor Park replied, 'We need to review the situation, and it will be decided soon.'