The special investigation team stated on the 22nd that it is "not worth refuting" former President Yoon Suk-yeol's mention of the special investigation as "political oppression."
Special investigator Park Ji-young, during a regular briefing that afternoon, responded to a reporter's question about whether the special investigation team has a position on former President Yoon's remarks the previous day, stating, "I think there is no worth in refuting it," and added, "the term 'political investigation' itself is unacceptable."
Park continued, "I believe the special investigation team has sufficiently explained the background of the charges against former President Yoon," and said, "Nonetheless, I think there is no worth in refuting the use of the term 'political' regarding this investigation."
Earlier, on the 21st, former President Yoon issued a statement through his legal representatives, saying, "Absurd political oppression is enough with just me," and added, "Beyond the political oppression against me, innocent people are also suffering." He further stated, "I hope the unjust oppression that tarnishes the honor of those who have devoted their lives to the nation and its people and harms their lives will be stopped immediately."
On the 19th, the special investigation team arrested and indicted former President Yoon on charges of abuse of power, fabrication of false public documents, violation of the Presidential Records Act, destruction of public documents, violation of the Presidential Security Act, obstruction of special public duties, and conspiracy to aid a fugitive.
Additionally, on that day, Park noted with respect to the court's decision to dismiss the arrest warrant for Kim Yong-dae, the commander of the drone operations, that he "respects the careful consideration of the court judge."
Park stated, "The foreign exchange-related charges against the commander were excluded from the crimes listed in the warrant request," and added, "There will be no issues with the progress of the investigation." When asked by reporters if there are plans to reapply for the warrant, Park said, "We had to urgently secure a New Recruit, so we initially applied for the warrant based on what was confirmed," adding, "It is not at all the case that we will reapply for the warrant at this stage."
The Seoul Central District Court dismissed the arrest warrant for the former commander on the previous day. The court stated that "considering that it would excessively restrict the defendant's right to defense, it is difficult to acknowledge the reasons and substantiality for the arrest."
The special investigation team is investigating whether former President Yoon directly instructed the drone company to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles in Pyongyang last October to create a justification for declaring martial law, and whether the military was involved systematically to cover this up.
In relation, the special investigation team questioned the commander for about 13 hours on the 17th, placing him under investigation as a suspect of general treason, fabrication of false public documents, and abuse of power. The following day, on the 18th, the commander was urgently arrested on grounds including "risk of flight and destruction of evidence," and on the 20th, a warrant for his arrest was applied for in court.
Meanwhile, the special investigation team has been investigating Lee Young-pal, vice administrator of the Fire Agency, as a witness since the morning of that day regarding the "media company power outage suspicion." Related to this suspicion, the special investigation team carried out a search and seizure at the residence of Lee Sang-min, the former Minister of the Interior and Safety, as well as at the Fire Agency and the central, Mapo, and Seodaemun fire stations on the 17th.
The special investigation team is also questioning former Army Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung regarding the suspicion of obstructing the National Assembly's lifting of martial law.