CIO fails to bring in detained Yoon for questioning

Jan 23, 2025, 07:09 am

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/Yonhap News

AsiaToday reporters Park Se-young & Kim Hyung-joon

Three attempts by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to bring in detained President Yoon Suk-yeol for questioning have fallen. On Wednesday, the CIO attempted to forcibly bring in President Yoon once again withdrew empty-handed. With the transfer of the case to the prosecution imminent, CIO Chief Prosecutor Oh Dong-woon expressed his determination to investigate, but the investigation is now at risk of being handed over to the prosecution without any results. Some critics argue that the CIO is trying to compensate for its lack of investigative sources with “political maneuvers.”

The CIO sent prosecutors and investigators to the Seoul Detention Center, where President Yoon is currently being detained, on Monday and Tuesday, and again on Wednesday morning, to attempt a forcible detention. However, they withdrew after about five hours. The CIO also attempted to search the presidential office and residence, but this was blocked by the security service.

The repeated attempts by the CIO to forcibly detain President Yoon have drawn continuous criticism. Even if the CIO succeeds in forcibly detaining him, it is highly unlikely to obtain meaningful testimony. Yoon’s side has made it clear that they will exercise their right to remain silent, arguing that the CIO’s investigation and the execution of warrants outside its jurisdiction are illegal.

“Forcibly detaining a suspect who has already exercised his right to remain silent is an illegal investigation that infringes on the constitutional right to remain silent,” said Yoon’s lawyer Yun Gap-geun. “The CIO, which claims to pursue independent investigations, has degenerated into a politically motivated investigative body that disregards the president’s human rights and right to defense,” Yun said.

Some critics argue that Director Oh is engaging in politics rather than investigation. During the doorstep interview, Oh warned Yoon’s side to “respect the judiciary’s decision.” When asked if Yoon’s arrival at the Seoul Detention Center after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, following a visit to the National Military Hospital, was an attempt to avoid investigation, Oh responded, “That’s how I see it.”

The CIO is expected to make another attempt at forcible detention, with the first detention deadline for Yoon set for Next Tuesday. A lawyer in Seocho-dong commented, “If the charges are substantial, they should proceed with prosecution. Insisting on forcible detention seems like an attempt to humiliate the president.”

#CIO #Yoon Suk-yeol #questioning