The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) continues its interrogation of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol following two initial sessions totaling 10 hours and 40 minutes on January 15th. The questioning revolves around allegations of an attempted rebellion through the declaration of martial law in early December 2024.
Originally scheduled for the morning of January 16th, the interrogation was postponed to 2 p.m. due to President Yoon’s reported ill health. However, his legal team subsequently announced that he would not attend the afternoon session. Yoon Kap-heun, one of the President’s lawyers, stated, “President Yoon is unwell. He also has nothing further to add following yesterday’s questioning.”
President Yoon was taken into custody on the morning of January 15th and brought to CIO headquarters. Prosecutors had prepared over 200 pages of questions, but President Yoon reportedly exercised his right to remain silent during both interrogation sessions.
President Yoon’s legal team submitted a 62-page defense document to the Constitutional Court, arguing the legitimacy of the martial law declaration on December 3rd, 2024. The document accuses the opposition Democratic Party (DP) of “reckless actions,” including spreading misinformation, obstructing government operations, electoral fraud, and threatening national sovereignty.
The lawyers criticized the opposition’s control over media channels, alleging pressure on individuals to make false statements and “promote harmful propaganda,” leading to social unrest and wasteful spending.
They maintained that the martial law declaration was a justified “emergency preventative measure” against the threat of large-scale riots instigated by the DP and affiliated groups.
“The President, elected by the people, has the constitutional right to declare martial law. He also enjoys immunity from prosecution for decisions made in complex and urgent circumstances. Any perceived errors in his judgment cannot be grounds for impeachment,” the legal team emphasized.
Under South Korean law, the CIO must decide whether to release President Yoon or request an extension of his detention within 48 hours of the initial interrogation. The CIO can request up to two extensions, each lasting a maximum of 10 days.
President Yoon is being held in a separate cell at the Seoul Detention Center in Gyeonggi province, approximately 10 miles south of the presidential residence. Former President Park Geun-hye was also held at this facility in 2017.