The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) will begin its investigation on President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was arrested on charges of being the mastermind behind a rebellion, starting from the afternoon of the 19th.
A CIO official noted during a media briefing that, "The suspect's side has been notified to attend at 2 p.m."
Director General Cha Eun-kyung of the Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for President Yoon, requested by the CIO, around 2:50 a.m. on the same day due to concerns of evidence destruction. Following his arrest on the 15th, President Yoon is expected to go through the admission procedure at the Seoul Detention Center and then be transferred to a confinement cell of about 3 pyong.
The defense team for President Yoon released a statement titled "It is the day to cry loudly" and claimed that "An absurd arrest warrant was issued, to the extent that it is difficult to utter the usual phrase 'we respect the judiciary's decision' in such a situation."
The CIO expressed severe regret regarding President Yoon's side's response, stating, "This is a substitute for denying the rule of law without any effort to resolve it within the judicial system," and added, "If you cannot accept the warrant issuance, you should follow the procedures for appeals or remedies dictated by the judicial system."
When asked if the CIO is considering forced enforcement if President Yoon continues to refuse to cooperate with the investigation, a CIO official stated, "Forced enforcement is not stipulated in the law and is only recognized in case law, so it's a matter we need to consider," adding, "It is still difficult to say whether any measure will be taken." Regarding the request for personal protection for the investigation team, he stated, "It is a matter we need to review."