Uiwang: A special counsel team is set to make a second attempt Tuesday to bring in former President Yoon Suk Yeol from his detention cell for questioning over his martial law bid. The team, led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk, has requested the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, to bring Yoon to its interrogation room by 2 p.m.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the former president has consistently refused to comply with repeated summonses by the special counsel team since his second arrest last Thursday. On Monday, the team attempted to have correctional officers escort him to their office, but withdrew after he refused to leave his cell. They admitted they could not use physical force due to his status as a former president.
The likelihood of Yoon complying with Tuesday's summons remains low. If he refuses again, the special counsel team could visit him at the detention center to conduct the questioning there, although Yoon might still refuse to cooperate. Should this pattern continue, the special counsel may opt to indict Yoon without further questioning.
Yoon faces five key charges, including violating the rights of Cabinet members by selectively calling a few to a meeting shortly before declaring martial law on December 3. He is also suspected of creating a false martial law declaration document after the said date to legitimize his actions. This document was allegedly signed by then Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun before being discarded.
This marks the second time Yoon has been arrested. His first arrest occurred in January while he was still in office, but a court later accepted his request to cancel the arrest, leading to his release in March. Yoon has since been standing trial for insurrection and abuse of power charges related to his failed martial law bid.