Ex-President Yoon Refuses Initial Special Prosecutor Probe, Demands Prosecutors Lead Inquiry

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol refused an initial investigation by the special prosecutor's office, insisting that the inquiry should be conducted by prosecutors rather than police officials. The special prosecutor, Kwon Chang-young, summoned Yoon for the first time on June 6, 101 days after the investigation began.

Yoon is accused of abuse of power for allegedly instructing the National Security Office to send messages to foreign leaders, including then-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, justifying the declaration of martial law on December 12, 2024. The special prosecutor's office reportedly sought to question Yoon about the circumstances under which he issued these instructions, believing he disseminated false information.

However, Yoon's legal team immediately protested the investigation's format, stating they would cooperate fully if prosecutors, not police officers, conducted the questioning. This is not the first time Yoon has objected to the investigation method; he previously refused a face-to-face interview with a different special prosecutor in June of the previous year for similar reasons.

After further discussions, the investigation proceeded in the afternoon with a special prosecutor's aide, who holds prosecutorial status, present. Yoon reportedly denied the charges during this session. The special prosecutor's office has scheduled a second summons for Yoon on June 13, this time to investigate charges of rebellion under the military criminal act.

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If a prosecutor, such as a special prosecutor's aide, conducts the questioning, we will faithfully respond to the investigation.