17-12-2024 (SEOUL) In a dramatic development that has intensified South Korea’s political crisis, investigators probing former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration were denied access to the presidential office on Tuesday, marking their second failed attempt to gather crucial evidence.
The joint investigation team, comprising members from the police force and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), spent seven hours attempting to gain entry to examine computer servers containing vital phone records, including those of the police commissioner.
This latest setback follows Yoon’s historic impeachment on Saturday, which saw him suspended from his presidential duties. The impeachment vote came in response to his short-lived martial law declaration, which was swiftly reversed following parliamentary opposition.
The investigators’ frustrated efforts mirror a similar unsuccessful raid attempted on 11 December, though on that occasion, the presidential office did voluntarily provide some data. The office’s security service has indicated it will address questions regarding cooperation with the investigations on Wednesday.
Since his impeachment, Yoon has maintained a conspicuous silence, with both authorities and the Constitutional Court reporting difficulties in establishing contact. Sources close to the matter reveal that the former president is currently assembling legal teams to defend against insurrection charges and present his case before the Constitutional Court, which will ultimately decide his political fate.
Seok Dong-hyun, a former prosecutor now serving as one of Yoon’s legal advisers, defended the former president’s actions, stating that the martial law declaration did not amount to insurrection. Seok expressed confidence in Yoon’s position before the Constitutional Court but remained non-committal regarding the president’s attendance at a scheduled questioning on 21 December.
The legal representative also called for a more streamlined investigation process, citing concerns over the multiple agencies simultaneously conducting inquiries, including the prosecution service, police, and the CIO.
