Former President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared for questioning by the special investigation team on rebellion at 9:55 a.m. on the 28th. This is the first time in 208 days since the declaration of a state of emergency on December 3 last year. During this period, it is the first time that former President Yoon voluntarily appeared before investigative agencies.
The first time the investigative agency requested former President Yoon to appear for questioning was on December 11 last year. At that time, the prosecution summoned former President Yoon, saying, "Come in on December 15 to undergo questioning." However, former President Yoon stated, "It is difficult to appear as the process of appointing a lawyer has not been completed." This was his first refusal to appear for questioning.
The day after, on December 16, the joint investigation team on the 12·3 incident requested former President Yoon to appear for questioning. The joint investigation team is a collaborative investigation unit consisting of the Korean National Police Agency, the CIO (Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials), and the Ministry of National Defense. On the same day, the prosecution also notified him of a second summons. However, former President Yoon refused all.
Four days later, on December 20, the joint investigation team issued a second summons notice to former President Yoon. At that time, the joint investigation team sent a request for appearance via express mail and electronic document to three places: the Hanam-dong official residence and two secretarial offices of the Yongsan Presidential Office. However, former President Yoon did not comply.
On December 26, the joint investigation team issued a third summons; however, former President Yoon also did not respond to this. Over a period of 12 days, the prosecution and the joint investigation team issued five summons notices, all of which were ignored. Ultimately, the joint investigation team requested an arrest warrant for former President Yoon at the Western District Court on December 30, and a warrant was issued the following day.
Subsequently, the CIO and police attempted to execute the arrest warrant on January 3 and 15 of this year. Ultimately, during the second execution on January 15, former President Yoon's side complied with the arrest and moved to the CIO office for investigation. Since he was investigated after being arrested, it was not a voluntary appearance.
Even in a state of arrest, former President Yoon did not appear for the investigation. Following the first suspect investigation on January 15, he was scheduled for further questioning on the 16th, 17th, and 19th, but he provided health reasons and did not attend any of them.
Then, on January 19, the court issued an arrest warrant. However, former President Yoon failed to appear for the scheduled investigation the next day on the 20th.
Moreover, former President Yoon was implicated in obstructing the execution of his arrest warrant by mobilizing the Presidential Security Service in February. Following this, the police notified former President Yoon of three summons notices from May 27 until the 13th of this month. However, former President Yoon refused all.
Ultimately, former President Yoon has failed to respond to a total of 12 summons notices from investigative agencies.