South Korea’s first-ever interrogation of a sitting president took place on Jan. 15 at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), located in Room 338 of Building 5 at the Government Complex Gwacheon. President Yoon Suk-yeol was questioned as a suspect on allegations of leading an insurrection and abusing his authority. The interrogation began at 11 a.m. in a six-square-meter room, where Yoon reportedly refused to make any statements or allow the proceedings to be recorded on video.
The CIO detained Yoon at 10:33 a.m. and transported him to its headquarters. The vehicle carrying the president arrived at the rear entrance of the building at approximately 10:53 a.m., avoiding members of the press. He was then escorted directly to the interrogation room.
The morning session, lasting two and a half hours, was conducted by CIO Deputy Chief Lee Jae-seung. Sources revealed that Lee addressed Yoon as “Mr. President” instead of using the term “suspect.” Although Lee graduated from Seoul National University’s law school after Yoon, it was reported that the two have no professional ties from their time as prosecutors. A legal expert familiar with both remarked, “With a seven-year difference in their judicial training, they are likely only vaguely aware of each other’s existence.”
The afternoon session was alternately led by Chief Prosecutor Lee Dae-hwan of the Third Investigation Division and Cha Jeong-hyeon, the lead investigator from the Fourth Investigation Division. CIO Head Oh Dong-woon was reportedly briefed regularly on the interrogation’s progress.
The interrogation focused on the circumstances surrounding the declaration of martial law, the drafting and announcement of a public address, and the deployment of military and police forces to the National Assembly and other locations. Despite the specific questions, Yoon remained silent, declining to respond. A CIO official stated, “The president did not even invoke his right to remain silent. He simply refused to speak.”
A member of Yoon’s legal team refuted this interpretation, saying, “This is not a refusal to cooperate. Since the CIO does not have jurisdiction over insurrection charges, the president is under no obligation to respond. We will instead submit a written statement in due time.”
The CIO had prepared a questionnaire exceeding 200 pages, but Yoon’s silence led officials to doubt they could obtain meaningful responses within the 48-hour detention period. Nonetheless, the CIO expressed confidence in building a case without his testimony.
During the session, Yoon was accompanied by Yun Gap-geun, a former high prosecutor, who observed the proceedings. Two other lawyers, Kim Hong-il, a former high prosecutor, and Song Hae-eun, a former chief prosecutor, remained on standby in a nearby lounge. During breaks, Yoon reportedly had a packed lunch and soybean paste stew for dinner in a rest area next to the interrogation room. Presidential security personnel were stationed along the third-floor corridor for safety.
The interrogation concluded at approximately 9:40 p.m., 10 hours and 40 minutes after it began. Yoon did not review or sign the session transcripts. Without the suspect’s signature, the records cannot be used in court.
Following the questioning, Yoon’s legal team has requested the Seoul Central District Court review on the legality of Yoon’s arrest. They argued that the CIO violated procedural jurisdiction by obtaining the arrest warrant from the Seoul Western District Court instead of the appropriate authority. They also claimed the CIO lacks the legal authority to investigate insurrection charges, rendering the warrant invalid.
Under South Korean law, the court must review a habeas corpus petition and hold a hearing within 48 hours of its submission. The court’s decision could influence the CIO’s plans to pursue a formal arrest warrant for Yoon.
