On the 30th, the special prosecution team for insurrection announced that it would not accept the request from former President Yoon Suk-yeol's side to change the schedule for the second summons investigation to after July 3. The special prosecution summoned former President Yoon for the first questioning related to the Dec. 3 emergency martial law on the 28th, and notified him to appear again on July 1. In response, former President Yoon's side requested to be allowed to appear after July 3.

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol returns home after completing an investigation as a suspect at the office established for the Special Investigation for Insurrection at the Seoul High Prosecutor’s Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 29th. / Courtesy of News1

On that day, special prosecutor Park Ji-young said in a press briefing, "The defense's opinion on the (date change) has been submitted, and as a result of internal discussions, we have decided not to accept it." He added, "If former President Yoon does not respond to the summons tomorrow (July 1), we plan to designate a specific date and time within this week and notify him again." He further stated, "If he does not appear then, we plan to take the final procedural action under criminal procedure law," referring to the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Earlier, the special prosecution had notified former President Yoon's side to appear for the second questioning on July 1. On that day, former President Yoon's side submitted a request to the special prosecution stating, "Please allow us to be questioned after July 3." They also remarked, "It cannot be immediately considered as 'failure to comply with the summons' just because we do not appear on the date requested by the investigative agency."

The legal representatives further stated, "The special prosecution's understanding that the investigative body can unilaterally decide the schedule for the questioning goes against the principle of voluntary investigation and the basic spirit of the criminal procedure law," emphasizing, "An obligation to appear does not arise simply because the investigative agency has unilaterally notified him to appear."

In response, a legal expert commented, "It seems that former President Yoon's side submitted a request for a date change to the special prosecution with awareness of the likelihood of an arrest warrant being issued or requested."

An arrest warrant may be issued when a suspect fails to comply with a summons from the investigative agency or there are concerns of failure to comply. The investigative agency must apply for an arrest warrant or release measures within 48 hours after executing the arrest warrant. Previously, former President Yoon was once detained by the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) following the execution of an arrest warrant in January and was arrested by a court's issuance of a detention warrant. He has since been released following the cancellation of the detention order by the court.

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