Prosecutor's Investigation Team May Re-Execute Arrest Warrant on 4th
The Special Prosecutor's team, which has been investigating former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is refusing the investigation concerning First Lady Kim Geon-hee, is expected to re-execute the arrest warrant. In this context, Democratic Party representative Jeong Cheong-rae mentioned, "We should arrest him even if we have to wrap him in a blanket," prompting a strong reaction from former President Yoon's side, which warned it would consider legal action in the event of illegal contact.
On the 3rd, lawyers Kim Hong-il and Bae Bo-yun appearing on Channel A stated, "The moment someone illegally lays hands on former President Yoon, we will take all possible legal actions, both criminal and civil." This was a strong backlash after news broke that the Special Prosecutor intended to execute the arrest warrant through a correctional officer.
The Special Prosecutor is proceeding under the interpretation that, according to Article 111 of the Criminal Procedure Act, a correctional officer can execute an arrest warrant under the supervision of a prosecutor within a detention center. However, former President Yoon's side strongly refutes this.
"Does not meet the seven conditions under the Execution of Sentences Act"
The legal team for former President Yoon claimed, "The conditions under which a correctional officer can exercise force are strictly limited by Article 100 of the Act on the Enforcement of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates," asserting that "former President Yoon does not meet any of the seven reasons listed."
According to the relevant provision, force can only be used when there is a specific and direct risk such as a suicide attempt by the inmate, acts of harm against others, or attempted escape. They argue that former President Yoon’s refusal to comply does not automatically justify the use of force.
Earlier, the Special Prosecutor attempted to execute the arrest warrant against former President Yoon at the Seoul Detention Center on the morning of the 1st, after he refused to appear twice, but it was unsuccessful. At that time, it was reported that former President Yoon lay on the floor in a tank top and underwear, having removed his prison uniform, sparking criticism in the political arena that "the attitude exhibited by someone who was the highest leader of the nation is irresponsible."
Jeong Cheong-rae: "Must bring him out regardless… Willingness to enforce the law must be shown"
In response, representative Jeong Cheong-rae emphasized in an interview on JTBC's 'Newsroom' on the 2nd, "Even if he embarrassingly resists by taking off his clothes, we should bring him out by wrapping him in a blanket or curtain." He continued, "That is the very will to enforce the law," adding, "If we keep retreating, he may resist in even more base ways. It can be resolved by enforcing the law firmly."
The Special Prosecutor’s team is keeping the possibility of contacting the newly appointed lawyers Kim Hong-il and Bae Bo-yun on the table. However, they believe that given former President Yoon's firm stance, there are no alternatives aside from forced enforcement. The arrest warrant is valid until the 7th, and if it is not executed within that timeframe, it may compromise the Special Prosecutor's investigation.
Some voices in the political arena are suggesting that "if an investigation is realistically impossible, we should also consider indicting him in absentia," while calls are growing for increasing pressure on former President Yoon through public opinion campaigns.
Image sources: Former President Yoon Suk-yeol / News1, Democratic Party representative Jeong Cheong-rae / News1
