Former President Yoon Suk-yeol's Side Claims "Human Rights Violation"
On the 28th, the side of former President Yoon Suk-yeol reacted strongly, claiming that Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok forced a public summons, humiliating the former president and violating his human rights.
The legal representative team of former President Yoon released a statement in line with his appearance before the special prosecutor's office.
Previously, former President Yoon engaged in a nerve-wracking back-and-forth with the special prosecutor's team, which had requested his appearance through the front entrance on the first floor, as he insisted on entering the investigation room via the underground parking lot of the Seoul High Prosecutor's Office.
However, former President Yoon ultimately did not head toward the underground parking lot and entered through the front entrance on the first floor of the Seoul High Prosecutor's Office.
His side stated, "As a former president who prioritized the rule of law, former President Yoon wishes to clearly point out the special prosecutor's violations of procedures and legal obligations, and the attempts at manipulation prioritizing the investigation. However, in order for procedural disputes not to hinder the revelation of the truth, he will comply with today’s investigation."
The former president's side asserted, "Investigative agencies should not unilaterally notify individuals for appearance or publicly disclose their appearance, as it infringes on the human rights of the accused. This is not merely a recommendation but a legal obligation established by law." They cited the presidential decree, 'Regulations on the Mutual Cooperation between Prosecutors and Judicial Police Officers and General Investigative Principles.'
They further stated, "The special prosecutor unilaterally disclosed the timing of the appearance to the media without prior consultation with legal counsel after the arrest warrant for former President Yoon was dismissed, forcing a public summons similar to the photo lines abolished by the Moon Jae-in administration."
The former president's side continued, "While the special prosecutor claims to uphold the public's right to know, what the public wants to know is the truth, not just a photo meant to humiliate a specific person publicly. The special prosecutor, which should be neutral and fair, is repeating the worst practices of the prosecution, which need the most improvement, with preconceptions and biases."
Regarding the allegations that former President Yoon had instructed the Presidential Security Service to prevent his arrest, his side stated, "There is absolutely no confirmation from the testimonies of related individuals, thus the allegations cannot even be recognized." They added, "Summoning and investigating a former president with mere wordplay and non-existent facts is no different from attempting manipulation, and it is nothing but political agitation and public opinion manipulation."
Image source: News1
