Former President Yoon Seok-youl Arrest Warrant Requested… Resistance to Special Prosecution's 'Surprise Warrant'

An arrest warrant has been requested for former President Yoon Seok-youl, who did not comply with police summons on three occasions.

On the 24th, Special Prosecutor Jo Eun-seok's team requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon in connection with the '12·3 illegal martial law incident.' In response, Yoon's side immediately voiced strong objections.

Yoon's legal representatives criticized it as a "surprise warrant request," questioning the Special Prosecutor's investigation method.

"It’s warrant first, without a single summons"… Yoon's side raises procedural issues

The legal team for former President Yoon issued a statement saying, "Former President Yoon was aware that this case would be transferred from the police to the Special Prosecutor’s Office and was planning to cooperate with the investigation through schedule coordination upon the establishment of the Special Prosecutor's Office."

They added, "Nevertheless, without a single request for appearance or notification of summons, the Special Prosecutor’s Office immediately requested an arrest warrant," claiming that this is "an act that clearly violates procedural legitimacy."

The legal team also emphasized, "If there is a future request for summons following legitimate procedures, former President Yoon will make it clear that he will actively respond."

Police summons rejected three times… Special Prosecutor states, "Clear position not to comply"

Previously, the police's special investigation team for the emergency martial law notified former President Yoon on the 5th, 12th, and 19th to appear as a suspect, but he did not comply on all occasions. Typically, if a person does not respond to three requests for appearance, the investigative agency will initiate compulsory procedures to secure the individual's presence.

Following this, the case was officially transferred from the police to the Special Prosecutor's Office on the 23rd. The Jo Eun-seok team requested an arrest warrant immediately without any additional summons requests, explaining that it was due to "former President Yoon's clear statement of not complying with the summons."

Prosecutor Park Ji-young of the rebellion investigation team held a briefing at the Special Prosecutor’s office set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, stating, "We requested a warrant considering the continuity and seriousness of the case, as well as the attitude of the suspect."

He added, "The Special Prosecutor's Office has a limited investigation period and anticipates various difficulties. Nevertheless, we will not be dragged along," emphasizing with the ancient Chinese idiom 'Law does not cater to status' (法不阿貴), stating, "We plan to proceed rigorously in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act."

The phrase 'Law does not cater to status' implies that the law does not flatter those of high rank and was said by the ancient Chinese philosopher Han Fei.

Special Prosecutor applies charges of abuse of power against former President Yoon

The Jo Special Prosecutor’s team requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon at the Seoul Central District Court at 5:50 PM on the same day. The charges applied include obstruction of special official duties, abuse of authority under the Criminal Act, and instigation of abuse of authority under the Presidential Security Act.

As former President Yoon becomes deeply entangled in legal proceedings as a suspect in this case, the subsequent judicial responses, including the warrant review, are expected to have significant repercussions throughout the political arena.

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