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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] On June 29, legal representatives for former South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol formally requested that his second appearance before the Special Counsel for the Insurrection Case be rescheduled to after July 3, citing health concerns and the need to protect his right to a fair legal defense in ongoing proceedings.
Yoon complied with the special counsel’s summons on June 28, but was reportedly questioned for only five of the 15 hours he spent at the prosecution office. The special counsel had planned to summon him again on June 30 for additional questioning.
In a statement, Yoon’s legal team asserted that “the special counsel must strictly adhere to the principles of voluntary investigation and due process. Summoning the former president again just two days later is an excessively tight schedule, particularly in light of his current health condition and other ongoing legal proceedings.”
They also criticized the manner in which the second summons was delivered and publicized:
“The special counsel’s decision to notify the press of the second appearance, without prior consultation with the suspect or legal counsel, constitutes a clear violation of procedural law and suggests an intent to continue public summons practices.”
The defense team further raised concerns about the involvement of Senior Superintendent Park Chang-hwan of the National Police Agency’s Major Crimes Investigation Division, who was present during the questioning. They argued it was inappropriate for Park to participate in an investigation regarding orders allegedly issued to obstruct the execution of an arrest warrant, suggesting a potential conflict of interest.
The special counsel’s investigation centers on allegations that former President Yoon unlawfully intervened to block the execution of law enforcement orders related to a high-profile national security incident, a case that has drawn intense political and legal scrutiny in South Korea.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
