A South Korean special counsel has summoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning regarding allegations of election meddling. This decision follows ongoing investigations into former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who is facing numerous charges, including stock price manipulation and accepting luxury goods in exchange for political favors. The questioning is scheduled for July 29, 2023.
During a briefing, assistant special prosecutor Moon Hong-ju confirmed that the special counsel, led by Min Joong-ki, submitted a request to the head of the Seoul Detention Center, where Yoon is currently detained. Moon stated, “The special prosecutor sent a request for investigation cooperation regarding former President Yoon to the head of the Seoul Detention Center this morning, requesting that he appear as a suspect at 10 a.m. on July 29.”
In addition to Yoon’s summons, Kim Keon Hee has also been requested to appear for questioning on August 6, 2023. The investigations focus on serious allegations, including her involvement in manipulating election nominations for Yoon’s party, the People Power Party, during both local and parliamentary elections. The special counsel’s office indicated that these allegations involve power broker Myung Tae-kyun.
Yoon’s questioning comes at a precarious time, as he is also awaiting a separate trial related to his short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3, 2022. This controversial decree was quickly overturned by the National Assembly, resulting in his impeachment and subsequent removal from office. Yoon was arrested on July 10, 2023 amid concerns that he might destroy evidence related to his upcoming trial, marking his second period in custody.
Previously, in January 2023, Yoon faced arrest on charges of insurrection following a standoff involving his presidential security detail. He was later released in March on procedural grounds. Recently, special prosecutors have indicted Yoon on additional charges, which include allegations of abusing his power by failing to convene a required meeting with all cabinet members prior to his martial law declaration. He is also accused of fabricating a document that falsely claimed the full cabinet endorsed this decree and subsequently destroying it.
The insurrection charges against Yoon carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. As the investigations unfold, further developments are expected regarding both Yoon and Kim’s legal situations. The ramifications of these inquiries could have significant political implications for South Korea.
