Detained but Consistently 'Enduring' Yoon, Corruption Investigation Office "Considering Forced Summons" (Comprehensive)

HGOI: "Forcible Summons Under Serious Consideration Given the Current Situation"

Yonhap News

The High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HGOI) announced on the 20th that it is seriously considering forcibly summoning President Yoon Seok-yeol, who has refused to cooperate with investigations even after being detained.

An HGOI official stated during a briefing with the press corps, "There have been multiple requests for attendance after the arrest, all of which were ignored," adding, "Given the current situation, we are seriously considering forcible summons." President Yoon, who was arrested on the 15th and detained the day before, did not comply with the HGOI's summons on the 16th, 17th, 19th, and 20th. The president's side stated, "There is nothing more to say to the HGOI."

Since President Yoon did not appear without any contact despite being notified to appear at 10 a.m. on the day, the HGOI plans to discuss future measures, including whether to proceed with forcible summons, without additional summons requests. The HGOI holds the position that forcible summons is possible under the effect of the arrest warrant according to laws and precedents.

Previously, the Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that if a suspect detained under an arrest warrant refuses to appear for questioning, they can be forcibly summoned to the interrogation room under the authority of the arrest warrant. However, the HGOI said it is difficult to comment on how it would respond if President Yoon also refuses forcible summons, stating, "We haven't even started yet."

Regarding the possibility that the suspect may refuse to testify even if forcibly summoned, the official responded, "The statement may have no evidentiary value, but it is usually attached to the investigation report and submitted to the court." The official added, "We are also considering the possibility of conducting an interrogation at the detention center, but given the urgency of face-to-face questioning, we are focusing on forcible summons." The HGOI stated that President Yoon's initial detention period is until the 28th, and if the court approves an extension requested by the HGOI, it is expected to be extended until February 7.

Since the detention review hearing was held at the Seoul Central District Court and the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) was held at the Seoul Western District Court, the periods during which related materials were sent to and returned from the courts should be excluded from the detention period. Therefore, it is explained that President Yoon's detention period should be considered extended by four days beyond the maximum 20 days. An HGOI official said, "The regulations are complicated because they are based on hours, days, and times. We calculated by days," but added that the exact detention period should be discussed with the prosecution.

When asked about the possibility that the HGOI might transfer the case to the prosecution without using the full ten days out of the maximum 20 days, the official replied, "It is difficult to say at this stage." Regarding the incident on the 18th when the investigation team’s vehicle was attacked by protesters while returning from the warrant review at the Seoul Western District Court, the HGOI announced that personal protection measures for the investigation team will be implemented.

An HGOI official said, "It is still difficult to say that the psychological shock experienced by those present at the scene has been fully resolved," adding, "We agreed yesterday with the jurisdictional police to provide personal protection measures until the case is closed. Patrols will also be strengthened." The HGOI submitted two black boxes from the investigation team’s vehicle to the police, and the prosecutor and investigators who were in the vehicle at the time gave victim statements to the police.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.