Former President Yoon Seok-youl did not appear for questioning despite demands from the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team (Special Investigator Min Jung-ki). The special investigation team is considering this non-appearance as a refusal to comply and plans to discuss further response measures.

On the 29th, former President Yoon was supposed to appear at the special investigation office located in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, at 10 a.m. but did not show up. While many journalists were waiting on-site, neither Yoon's legal team nor any transport vehicle was seen entering.

As former President Yoon did not arrive by the time of the appearance request, a special investigation official responded to the question, "Can we consider this as a refusal if he does not appear?" by stating, "It has to be seen that way."

Former President Yoon is currently facing charges of violating the Public Official Elections Act. The special investigation team served him with a subpoena requesting his appearance on the morning of the 29th while he was in custody at Seoul Detention Center. However, it has been confirmed that more than a week after receiving the subpoena, Yoon has not even submitted a delegation of attorney designation to the special investigation team.

The Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team is focusing on allegations that former President Yoon and his wife, Kim Geon-hee, received free public opinion polling from "political broker" Myung Tae-kyun during the 2022 presidential election, as well as whether they improperly intervened in candidate nominations for the June by-elections and the Gyeongnam and Gangwon gubernatorial elections.

The appearance request was a measure for direct investigation into these core allegations, but former President Yoon did not respond to the inquiry without any expression of opinion or position. Until the morning, Yoon's side had not communicated any information regarding the designation of a legal representative or their stance on the summons investigation.

Former President Yoon has been in custody since the 10th due to a warrant request from the special investigation team led by Special Investigator Cho Eun-seok concerning a rebellion case, and he submitted a written statement of non-appearance to the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 25 on the same day, also failing to show up for his trial.

Despite three attempts to secure Yoon's physical custody, all efforts were thwarted as the Seoul Detention Center indicated that it was difficult to use physical force against a former president.

Following this, the Seoul Detention Center sent an official document to the rebellion special investigation team asking them to directly dispatch personnel to execute the detention, and discussions continued between the two sides. However, the discussions were halted when former President Yoon filed a petition for detention review.

Former President Yoon appeared for the detention review hearing on the 18th but has not responded to any trial or special investigation summons since the rejection of that petition. As a result, the special investigation team is expected to begin legal reviews regarding possible coercive investigation measures and additional judicial actions.

Image source: Former President Yoon Seok-youl / News1, Former President Yoon Seok-youl, Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Summons Refusal / News1, Former President Yoon Seok-youl and spouse / News1