Former President Yoon indicted on abuse of power charges without further interrogation

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul for a court review on his arrest, July 9. Joint Press Corps

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally indicted Saturday on charges including abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights, following his continued refusal while in custody to cooperate with a special counsel investigation into his alleged role in a martial law conspiracy.

Despite Yoon’s repeated refusal to appear for questioning, the special prosecutor’s office decided to proceed with the indictment without conducting any additional interrogation. A special counsel official explained that even with an extension of Yoon’s detention period, securing meaningful cooperation from the former president was unlikely.

“It is regrettable that no substantive questioning of the former president took place during his detention,” the official said during a press briefing Saturday, adding that Yoon’s refusal to comply with the investigation would be reflected in sentencing recommendations.

The official further stated that if Yoon continues to ignore summonses related to a separate investigation into foreign aggression — considered one of the most serious crimes against the state under Korean law — the special counsel will be forced to pursue a compulsory investigation through an arrest warrant.

Yoon, who was re-arrested on July 10, has refused all summonses from the martial law special counsel and has repeatedly resisted attempts at forced appearance.

On Friday, the Seoul Central District Court rejected Yoon’s request for release, ruling that his detention remains justified due to the seriousness of the charges and the risk of evidence destruction, and affirming the necessity of his continued detention for investigations into charges related to his martial law imposition.

The Seoul Central District Court said his request did not meet requirements, indicating his arrest was legitimate.

Yoon has been held at the Seoul Detention Center since July 10, when the court accepted the special counsel’s request to issue an arrest warrant over key charges related to his imposition of martial law, citing a risk of evidence tampering.

Since then, he has refused to comply with summonses from the special counsel or to attend court proceedings, citing deteriorating health. The authorities attempted to bring him in for questioning on three occasions through court-issued orders, but all efforts failed.

Yoon faces multiple charges, including abuse of power, falsification of martial law documents and obstruction of official duties.

His lawyers argued that the charges applied by the special counsel overlap with an ongoing trial that is being held following the prosecution’s earlier indictment, rendering the detention double jeopardy. They presented a slideshow of around 140 slides to back the argument during the court review.

Yoon himself also claimed that his health has deteriorated during his time in detention due to complications arising from his diabetes, to such an extent that he is unable to participate meaningfully in legal proceedings.

“The fact that he can move around does not mean he is in good health,” his attorney said. He added that Yoon had appeared in court despite his condition, as he was concerned that failing to clarify his status could hinder his ability to defend himself.

A prison transport vehicle carrying former President Yoon Suk Yeol enters the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps

The special counsel team also submitted a written opinion of around 100 pages, along with a corresponding presentation, to support the legitimacy of Yoon’s continued detention.

The team noted that the Seoul Detention Center had informed them that Yoon “does not appear to have any significant mobility issues.” Although no formal medical assessment has been done, officials confirmed that he was physically capable of movement currently.

The court accepted the investigators’ arguments, dismissing claims by Yoon’s side about double jeopardy and health conditions. It also recognized the key reason for his arrest — a risk of evidence tampering — and his repeated refusal to comply with questioning as the grounds for the need for continued detention.

Yoon is also under investigation for charges of foreign aggression, a national security offense involving acts that provoke a foreign attack or aid an enemy state, for allegedly ordering drone dispatches to North Korea last year to justify his future martial law. This is considered one of the most serious crimes against the state under Korean law.