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Park Chan-kyong

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol is framing himself as a victim of political persecution as he continues to defy investigators seeking to question him over his corruption allegations and aborted martial law bid, according to analysts.
Prosecutors failed to bring Yoon out from his detention cell for questioning for a second time on Thursday, with one analyst saying he is aiming to rally public sympathy and galvanise his conservative support base through his unyielding resistance.
“By resisting his arrest for questioning, Yoon is positioning himself as a victim of illegitimate law enforcement by the special prosecutors. He’s also signalling to his supporters to continue their struggle,” Jung Suk-koo, a former executive editor at The Hankyoreh, told This Week in Asia.
Yoon was arrested on January 15 over his martial law declaration last December, which prosecutors argue is tantamount to insurrection. The 63‑year‑old could face charges carrying life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

On Thursday, a team of special investigators led by prosecutor Min Joong-ki tried to bring Yoon from his cell at the Seoul Detention Centre to their office for interrogation over alleged corruption and influence peddling involving him and his wife, Kim Keon-hee.
Armed with a court-issued arrest warrant, prosecutors instructed correctional officers to use force, if necessary. But the operation was called off after over an hour due to concerns that Yoon’s resistance might lead to his injuries, according to authorities.
Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho had ordered staff at the detention centre to “actively cooperate with the special prosecutor’s execution of the arrest warrant to ensure strict and fair law enforcement”.
Last Friday, Yoon similarly resisted the prosecution’s attempt to enforce the warrant, reportedly by refusing to stand or put on his prison uniform.
All those involved in these illegal acts will be held fully accountable
Song Jin-ho, Yoon Suk-yeol’s lead lawyer
After the stand-off on Thursday, Yoon was transferred to the detention centre’s medical office after he reportedly complained of back and arm pain.
His legal team condemned the incident as unlawful “human rights abuse” and threatened legal action. “All those involved in these illegal acts will be held fully accountable,” said Song Jin-ho, Yoon’s lead lawyer.
“Around 10 individuals rushed in, seized the former president’s arms, and tried to lift his legs to place him in a vehicle. When he resisted, they attempted to move him while still seated. During the process, the chair slipped backward and Yoon hit his lower back against the chair’s leg.”
When they gripped Yoon’s arms tightly, he cried out in pain and indicated that his arm was at risk of being dislocated, Song said. Only then, Yoon could break free from the individuals, he added.


“We told them it was illegal, yet they tried to enforce the arrest a second and third time. It was lawlessness. It’s absurd that such actions could happen in a country governed by the rule of law. We cannot let this go unchallenged.”
The defence team further accused the prosecutors of trying to “humiliate” Yoon by forcibly removing him from his cell even though he had clearly stated his intent to exercise his right to remain silent.
The special prosecutor’s office, however, maintained that the team’s actions were lawful and justified in accordance with the arrest warrant, which was set to expire on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, 52, was questioned for several hours on Wednesday after she was summoned by the special prosecutors.

While Kim faces 16 different charges, the prosecution’s request for an arrest warrant against her reportedly listed three of them: stock price manipulation, interference in party nominations, and influence peddling.
During questioning, Kim reportedly dismissed all the allegations against her as baseless.
Choi Jin, head of the Institute for Presidential Leadership, said Kim had been at the centre of numerous scandals involving the former first couple, and many believed her arrest was a matter of time.
“Kim Keon-hee has long been considered the power behind Yoon, with critics referring to her as ‘VIP No 1,’” he said.


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South Korea

South Korea’s Yoon claims ‘human rights abuse’ over failed attempt to question him

Yoon Suk-yeol arrives at Seoul Central District Court last month. A second bid by prosecutors to remove the ex-president from a cell for questioning failed on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Police officers stand guard in front of Seoul Detention Centre earlier this year. Photo: Yonhap/EPA-EFE

South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee arrives for questioning at the special prosecutor’s office in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Kim Keon-hee’s reckoning: public grilling for South Korea’s scandal-plagued ex-first lady

South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol, arrives for questioning at the special prosecutor’s office in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Kim Keon-hee (centre) enters the special prosecutor’s office in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

The headquarters of the Unification Church in Gapyeong, South Korea, is seen shrouded by fog last month. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky (right) following talks in Kyiv in July 2023. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

Injury fears halt second bid to question South Korea’s Yoon

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol exits Seoul Central District Court after attending a hearing last month to review the legality of his detention. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

A vehicle carrying the special counsel team drives out of the gate of Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang after their second failed attempt to arrest jailed former president Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo: EPA/Yonhap

Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former president Yoon, arrives at the special prosecutor’s office in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo

Underwear-clad Yoon Suk-yeol refuses to leave South Korea prison cell for questioning

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol arrives for a hearing to review his arrest warrant on July 9. Photo: AP

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee arrive for a formal dinner in November 2022. Photo: AP

Former interior minister Lee Sang-min during a special committee hearing on February 4. Photo: EPA-EFE/Yonhap

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The ex-president’s legal team accused investigators of acting illegally by trying to forcibly remove him from his cell for questioning


The ex-president’s legal team accused investigators of acting illegally by trying to forcibly remove him from his cell for questioning.


South Korea’s Yoon claims ‘human rights abuse’ over failed attempt to question him

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The ex-president’s legal team accused investigators of acting illegally by trying to forcibly remove him from his cell for questioning

The ex-president’s legal team accused investigators of acting illegally by trying to forcibly remove him from his cell for questioning