Special counsel summons ex-President Yoon for questioning Saturday
In this file photo, former President Yoon Suk Yeol attends his trial on charges related to his December 2024 bid to impose martial law at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Sept. 26. Yonhap
A special counsel team said Tuesday it has summoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning this weekend over his alleged interference in a military probe into the 2023 death of a young Marine.
Special counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team sent the notice to Yoon on Monday, ordering him to appear for questioning at 10 a.m. Saturday, assistant special counsel Choung Min-young said during a press briefing.
Yoon, who is in custody over his failed bid to impose martial law in December, is separately accused of abusing his power and aiding a criminal's flight in connection with the Marine's case.
Investigators suspect he ordered the presidential office and the defense ministry to reverse the initial findings of a military probe into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun in order to relieve a then Marine commander of responsibility.
The former president is also suspected of helping former Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup evade responsibility by appointing him ambassador to Australia in March 2024.
The special counsel team previously demanded his appearance on Oct. 23, but the former president did not comply, citing the trial schedules of his lawyers.
"I understand that his lawyers are not of the position that he will not appear at all," Choung said of the likelihood of Yoon's appearance. "We expect him to appear on the eighth."
The late Marine died in July 2023 after being swept away in a swollen stream during a search mission for victims of heavy rains, without wearing proper safety equipment, such as a life vest.