Special Investigation Team Contemplates 'Direct Trial' as Yoon Proposes Habeas Corpus

[Financial News] The special investigation team for rebellion and foreign affairs (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok) is taking a brief pause in its investigation of former President Yoon Seok-yeol. This is because it has become difficult to bring former President Yoon to the special prosecutor's office at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office after he filed for habeas corpus. The special investigation team is reportedly considering whether to proceed with a 'direct trial' in response to former President Yoon's 'delay tactics'.
According to the legal community on the 17th, the 9-2 Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Ryu Chang-seong, Jeong Hye-won, and Choi Bo-won) will hold a hearing on the habeas corpus petition for former President Yoon at 10:15 a.m. on the 18th. After questioning the petitioner, former President Yoon, and reviewing evidence, the court will determine the legality of the detention and the necessity of maintaining it.
Former President Yoon's legal team submitted a habeas corpus petition to the Seoul Central District Court on the 16th. This was six days after his detention. Former President Yoon, who is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of special official duties under the Criminal Code, was detained on the 10th due to concerns about evidence destruction.
Some analysts suggest that former President Yoon is engaging in 'delay tactics' against the special investigation team's 'strong offensive'. In fact, former President Yoon applied for habeas corpus during his initial detention in March. He claimed that there was an issue with the method of calculating the detention period during the transfer of his case from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials to the prosecution, and was released after the court canceled his detention.
Following former President Yoon's habeas corpus petition, the special investigation team halted its third forced transfer attempt on the 16th. Special Prosecutor Park Ji-young stated in a press briefing on the 16th that, although the Ministry of Justice requested the special investigation team to be present for the execution of the transfer, and Special Prosecutor Park Eok-su was to visit, they confirmed that former President Yoon's habeas corpus petition was filed with the court at 10:46 a.m., leading them to suspend field command. "The habeas corpus record was received by former President Yoon's side at 4:37 p.m. that day," he said.
Prior to this, the special investigation team attempted to forcibly transfer former President Yoon twice on the 14th and 15th through the Seoul Detention Center, but failed due to his refusal. The Seoul Detention Center, responsible for managing former President Yoon's custody, did not bring him to the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, citing the difficulty of using physical force on a former president.
The special investigation team is considering the option of bringing the case to trial if former President Yoon continues to refuse investigation. Special Prosecutor Park stated in a press briefing on the afternoon of the 15th that they need to determine if it is possible to summon or request an appearance for former President Yoon in the future, and that they are also considering prosecuting without extending the detention period.
Separately from the investigation of former President Yoon, the special investigation team is accelerating its investigation into the allegations of 'media blackout and water cut-off' and 'Pyongyang drone infiltration'. On this day, starting around 9 a.m., the special investigation team conducted searches and seizures at seven locations, including the home of former Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min, the Fire Department, and the Sejong Government Complex and Seoul Government Complex of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This is to investigate the suspicion that former Minister Lee ordered power and water cut-offs to certain media outlets, including MBC and Hankyoreh, during the 12/3 emergency martial law. Additionally, from 9:33 a.m. on this day, they are questioning Kim Yong-dae, the commander of the drone operations command, as a suspect.

kyu0705@fnnews.com Kim Dong-kyu Reporter