Seoul: Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to reject a special counsel's summons to appear for questioning next week regarding his alleged interference in a military investigation into the 2023 death of a young Marine. Legal sources revealed this development on Tuesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the team led by Special Counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon issued a summons on Monday, instructing Yoon to appear next Thursday. The allegations suggest that the initial findings of the probe into Cpl. Chae Su-geun's death were altered to absolve a then Marine commander of responsibility. Yoon, who is currently detained on charges related to his failed martial law bid, has indicated he would not comply with the summons, as mentioned during a meeting with his legal team earlier in the day.
Yoon's lawyer confirmed to Yonhap News Agency by phone, "(We) do not plan to respond to next Thursday's questioning." The death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun occurred in July 2023 during a search mission for victims of torrential rain, which led to a military investigation. Yoon allegedly expressed anger during a meeting with senior aides after being briefed on the probe's initial findings.
Since his second arrest, Yoon has consistently refused to cooperate with investigators' questioning or his martial law-related trials. In response to Yoon's non-compliance, Lee's team hinted on Monday that they might consider forcibly bringing him in for questioning if he continues to resist appearing voluntarily.