Jo Eun-seok's Special Investigation Team Emphasizes 'Necessity for Detention' in 66-page Arrest Warrant Application
The Special Investigation Team led by Jo Eun-seok has filed an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, citing charges of insurrection and foreign currency crimes related to the December 3rd state of emergency. They specified concerns about flight risk, stating, "Even if a guilty verdict is rendered, it remains uncertain whether he would accept the outcome."
On the 7th, Yonhap News reported that it had obtained the 66-page application for the arrest warrant for former President Yoon.
According to the report, the Special Investigation Team asserted, "There is substantial reason to acknowledge that a crime has been committed, the offenses are very serious, and there are evident grounds for detention due to flight risk and concerns about evidence destruction."
The team dedicated 16 pages of the application to emphasizing the necessity of detention. They specifically noted, "Despite being a legal expert and self-proclaimed rule of law advocate, he exhibits a disregard for the law more than anyone else," and added, "There are fears he may flee as he is unable to accept the investigations, trials, and subsequent law enforcement he should undergo."
Concerns Raised About Possible Testimony Reversal by Kang Yi-goo and Kim Seong-hoon
The Special Investigation Team pointed out that former President Yoon’s act of crafting the state of emergency announcement after its declaration, issuing false press releases to foreign media, and deleting communications from three individuals including the espionage commander itself constitute evidence destruction.
They also highlighted a high likelihood that, as a criminal justice expert, he could try to influence potential witnesses to elicit favorable testimonies.
It was also mentioned that Kang Yi-goo, the former Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office, began to reverse his previous testimony after attorney Cha Myung-sung, representing former President Yoon, attended the investigation.
The Special Investigation Team stated, "The attorney repeatedly induced Kang Yi-goo's responses and interrupted the prosecutor’s questioning," indicating strong suspicion that the suspect has reversed Kang Yi-goo's testimony to align with his claims.
Additionally, they noted that Kim Seong-hoon, the former Deputy Chief of Security, made favorable statements during early police investigations when the attorneys from former President Yoon's side were present, but began to confess to the criminal acts after their departure, raising concerns that there might be pressures or inducements for testimony reversal.
"Potential for Mobilizing Supporters… Concerns About National Division"
The Special Investigation Team referenced the disturbances at the Seoul Western District Court, asserting, "We cannot exclude the possibility of exploiting situations of national division to incite supporters and provoke violent actions to evade criminal penalties," indicating a potential for collective criminal acts.
They further asserted, "By disregarding the powers and procedures of constitutional institutions and calling for the eradication of anti-state forces, he has incited the public and instigated insurrection, misleading the people by framing the lawful execution of arrest warrants as a conspiracy," stressing the seriousness of the matter.
The side of former President Yoon completely denied these allegations, countering, "We merely contacted Cabinet members considering the urgency of the Cabinet meeting on the state of emergency, and the post-announcement cancellation of the decree was a measure to correct erroneous content."
The Seoul Central District Court is expected to hold a pre-arrest suspect interrogation for former President Yoon as early as the 8th or 9th.
Image source: Former President Yoon Seok-yeol / News1, News1
