Yoon summoned for questioning over alleged martial law justification orders

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol has been summoned for questioning by the second comprehensive special prosecutor team, led by prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, marking the first such interrogation 101 days after the team's formation.

Yoon arrived discreetly at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon on Tuesday morning, transported by a Ministry of Justice escort vehicle. While the team initially planned to allow media access to document Yoon's first appearance, they changed their approach to a non-public summons after his legal team cited restrictions on media exposure while wearing a restraint device.

The investigation focuses on allegations of abuse of power and obstruction of rights. Specifically, Yoon is suspected of ordering the transmission of messages to key figures, including former National Security Advisor Shin Won-sik and former First Deputy Chief Kim Tae-hyo, to convey to then-U.S. President Donald Trump and other allies a justification for declaring martial law.

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This measure is to protect liberal democracy.

These messages reportedly framed the martial law as a necessary action to safeguard liberal democracy. They allegedly stated that the measure was a political demonstration within the constitutional framework, responding to the National Assembly's attempts to paralyze the executive branch through impeachment proceedings and budget cuts, thereby posing a substantial threat to the constitutional order.

The special prosecutor team is also investigating whether Yoon directed Foreign Ministry officials to carry out these tasks, which they consider to be duties they were not obligated to perform. Furthermore, the probe includes allegations that Yoon used the National Security Council to instruct the National Intelligence Service to send similar messages justifying martial law to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

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It is a political demonstration within the constitutional framework, responding to the National Assembly's attempt to practically destroy the constitutional order by paralyzing the executive branch through impeachment and budget cuts.