Former President Yoon Seok-yeol, Controversy Over Non-Compliance with Arrest Warrant Execution by Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team

Minister of Justice Jeong Seung-ho detailed the situation regarding former President Yoon Seok-yeol's non-compliance with the arrest warrant execution during a plenary session of the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee on the 1st.

Minister Jeong stated that former President Yoon "was wearing short sleeves and pants, but as the special investigation team arrived, he took off his clothes and put them back on as soon as he went outside."

Minister Jeong explained, "It is an internal regulation to wear short sleeves and shorts from 6 AM until 9 PM when going to bed." He added, "If one does not wear the designated clothing for an extended period, penalty points will be assigned, and accumulated points may lead to disciplinary actions or other disadvantages."

After former President Yoon's non-compliance with the execution of the arrest warrant, he reportedly wore a prison uniform again during a one-hour meeting with his legal team from 11:30 AM that day. He had put on the prison uniform again.

Minister Jeong expressed, "As a minister, I find such behavior from a former president to be quite embarrassing and shameful. Nonetheless, since he is a former president, we will act appropriately within the regulations to avoid any misunderstandings of favoritism."

Special Investigation Team's Failure to Execute Arrest Warrant and Future Plans

Oh Jung-hee, Deputy Special Prosecutor of the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team, provided details on the execution process of former President Yoon's arrest warrant during a regular briefing that afternoon.

Deputy Special Prosecutor Oh stated, "He firmly refused arrest while lying on the floor without even wearing a prison uniform. The special investigation team requested compliance four times, spaced 20-30 minutes apart, but the suspect continuously refused to comply with the arrest."

She continued, "The special investigation team refrained from using physical force out of concern for safety, and ultimately paused the arrest execution today."

Deputy Special Prosecutor Oh urged, "The suspect has always emphasized legal principles and fair common sense. The public is watching to see if the law is indeed applied equally to everyone. As a former prosecutor, former Prosecutor General, and president, we hope the suspect will cooperate with the special investigation in executing the law."

At around 8:40 AM on the 1st, Deputy Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-joo, along with several prosecutors and investigators, attempted to bring former President Yoon in at the Seoul Detention Center, but returned after about two hours due to his refusal.

According to the special investigation team, former President Yoon was lying on the floor wearing only a sleeveless shirt and underwear and refused to explain the reasons for his non-compliance with the arrest.

When asked if former President Yoon did not seem to be in good health, Deputy Special Prosecutor Oh responded, "He showed no signs of such, and his health appeared to be very good."

She also noted that after the special investigation team gave up on executing the warrant and left, former President Yoon conducted a one-hour meeting with his legal team from 11:30 AM.

The special investigation team expressed surprise at former President Yoon's one-sided refusal to be questioned, stating that this response is very unusual.

It is expected that the special investigation team will soon attempt to re-execute the warrant. The validity period for the arrest warrant against former President Yoon is until the 7th.

Image source: Minister of Justice Jeong Seung-ho / News1, former President Yoon Seok-yeol under investigation by the special investigation team regarding the Emergency Martial Law on December 3 / News1, Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team (Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki) attempting to execute arrest warrant against former President Yoon Seok-yeol at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 1st / News1