Investigators from Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki's office said they attempted to bring former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol from the Seoul Central Detention Center for questioning today.

However, all attempts failed because Mr. Yoon employed a "humiliation tactic," removing his prison clothes, wearing only underwear, and lying motionless on the cell floor, investigators said.

"The team tried to persuade him to comply voluntarily, considering his status as a former president. However, the suspect steadfastly refused," Special Prosecutor Assistant Oh Jeong-hee said at a press conference on 1/8 in Seoul.

Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol appears in court in Seoul, South Korea, on 25/1. Photo: AP

Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol appears in court in Seoul, South Korea, on 25/1. Photo: AP

The team attempted to persuade Mr. Yoon four times, every 20-30 minutes, at one point requesting prison guards to remove him from the cell, but failed.

After about two hours of negotiation, the team decided to leave rather than use force to avoid any unfortunate incidents. "Throughout this process, the team warned the suspect that they would go to the end next time, including the use of force," Ms. Oh said.

Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki's office is seeking to question Mr. Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, about alleged interference in the 2022 parliamentary elections.

The former president has twice refused to appear for questioning this week due to health issues. Mr. Yoon's legal team provided the Seoul Central Detention Center with medical records and a doctor's note, explaining that Mr. Yoon suffered from thermoregulation disorder and risked blindness without prompt treatment.

Prosecutors received court approval this morning for a warrant to compel Mr. Yoon's questioning, valid for seven days. Ms. Oh urged Mr. Yoon to cooperate with the investigation, upholding the "fairness, impartiality, and rule of law" he espoused throughout his career as a prosecutor, prosecutor general, and president.

Mr. Yoon was first arrested in January on charges of "rebellion" for imposing martial law in Seoul late last year. He was released in March after the Seoul Central District Court overturned the arrest warrant from the Anti-Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials.

South Korea's Constitutional Court removed Mr. Yoon from the presidency in April. On 10/7, the Seoul Central District Court issued a second arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon to investigate new allegations related to the martial law order late last year.

Mr. Min's team is investigating a total of 19 allegations against former first lady Kim Keon-hee, including two related to former president Yoon.

The couple is suspected of interfering in the People Power Party (PPP)'s internal nomination process for the 2022 parliamentary elections and making false declarations during the 2021 presidential primaries, related to allegations of Ms. Kim manipulating stock prices.

Thanh Danh (According to Yonhap, Xinhua, Korea Herald)