The special investigation team for the rebellion announced on the 21st that there had been no consultations related to the special investigation and inquiry since former President Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest.
Former President Yoon's legal team issued a statement on the 19th after the special investigation team arrested and indicted him, saying, "We suggested several proposals in advance, such as written inquiries, visits to a third location, and discussions on the schedule, but the special investigation team's response was solely a high-handed attitude demanding that we appear at the time and place set by them." They claimed, "It is aimed at humiliating a former president summoned to the interrogation room wearing prison clothes."
Park Ji-young, the deputy for the special investigation team, stated in the regular briefing that, "There are parts of the statement released by former President Yoon's legal team that differ from the facts, so I must unfortunately clarify that the former president and the legal team have never directly requested written inquiries, visits to a third location, or discussions on the schedule after the issuance of the arrest warrant."
Park also noted, "If former President Yoon wishes, he can attend the hearings in civilian clothes" and referred to Clause 82 of the Act on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates, which stipulates, "Pre-trial detainees may wear civilian clothes when attending investigations, trials, national audits, or inquiries designated by law."
Park emphasized, "The fact that former President Yoon attended all proceedings of the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial and (criminal) trial in civilian clothes before the cancellation of his arrest is in accordance with this regulation," adding, "Claiming that refusing the special investigation's legitimate probe is 'humiliation of a former president in prison clothes' is not true."
Park further pointed out, "The fact that some allegations were made public is due to the legal team's leak of the arrest warrant, and the special investigation team is carrying out minimal public relations activities in accordance with relevant laws," expressing concern over claims that military secrets are being leaked through the investigation, which are unfounded.
He also stated, "I urge you to refrain from making claims that are not true, such as summoning all members of the Yoon Suk-yeol government's cabinet as suspects for questioning and using derogatory expressions like 'rascal' and 'knife dance' to belittle the special investigation's efforts."
Additionally, Park announced, "Starting from 3 p.m. today, the pre-arrest interrogation of Kim Yong-dae, the commander of the drone operations, is underway," noting that five prosecutors, including Kim Hyung-soo, deputy director of the special investigation team, and Oh Sang-yeon, are participating.
On the same day, the Seoul Central District Court is conducting a substantive examination of the arrest warrant in the presence of Chief Judge Nam Se-jin to decide on the arrest of Kim. Earlier, the special investigation team filed for an arrest warrant for Kim around 2 p.m. on the 20th.
The special investigation team is investigating whether former President Yoon directly ordered the drone unit to deploy unmanned aircraft to Pyongyang last October to create a justification for the declaration of martial law, and whether the military organizationally intervened to cover this up.
In this regard, the special investigation team interrogated Kim as a suspect for general treason, preparing false public documents, and abuse of authority for about 13 hours on the 17th. The following day, on the 18th, Kim was urgently arrested due to concerns over 'flight and evidence destruction.' Kim, who is detained at the Seoul Detention Center, was reported to have arrived at the court in a Ministry of Justice transport vehicle.