Staying in the waiting room while demanding a 'change of investigator'… Special prosecutor "crossed the line"

The special investigation team led by Cho Eun-seok continued the investigation of former President Yoon Suk-yeol regarding the internal and external disturbances related to the emergency martial law documents from December 3, but it was revealed that former President Yoon refused to enter the investigation room while demanding a change of investigators.

The special prosecutor's office considers this behavior by former President Yoon to be nothing different from refusing to appear, and plans to initiate a separate investigation for obstructing the investigation.

On the afternoon of the 28th, Park Ji-young, the deputy chief of the martial law special investigation, held a briefing and stated, "We attempted to resume the investigation of former President Yoon at 1:30 PM, but his side is refusing to enter the investigation room while raising issues about the investigators."

The special prosecutor's office equates former President Yoon's actions with 'refusal to appear'. Deputy Chief Park criticized, "It's akin to a defendant sitting in the spectator's seat rather than the defendant's seat in court."

Additionally, he emphasized that "if an attorney spreads false information and obstructs the investigation, it could be subject to punishment under the Special Act on Martial Law Investigations," and they are considering notifying the Korea Bar Association regarding the involved lawyers.

Yoon's side claims 'the perpetrator is the investigator'… Special prosecutor "unrelated to the investigator"

The side of former President Yoon has raised issues with the fact that Park Chang-hwan, the head of the Major Crimes Investigation Division of the National Police Agency, who is participating in this investigation, is one of those who have already filed a complaint against them, claiming that "the perpetrator is interrogating the victim."

In response, Deputy Chief Park stated, "Captain Park was not present at the scene of the execution of the first arrest warrant for former President Yoon and had no involvement in the command," drawing a clear line by saying, "It is completely unrelated to the complaints filed by former President Yoon's side."

Deputy Chief Park remarked, "Being a former president does not grant one the right not to be investigated by the police," and criticized, "Raising issues about the police conducting an investigation in itself negates the police system."

"Obstruction of investigation through false information… will respond decisively"

The special prosecutor's office welcomes the proactive opinions expressed by former President Yoon’s legal team; however, they firmly stated that they would respond decisively to the spread of false information and obstruction of the investigation.

Deputy Chief Park said, "We are listening to solidly conduct the investigation, but we will hold legal accountability for actions that cross the line," and added, "We have already initiated an investigation for obstructing the investigation and are reviewing notifying the Bar Association."

Image source: News1