'Commanded Yoon's Release' Shim Woo-jung Appears Before Special Prosecutor... As Accused

Accused of Abuse of Power and Dereliction of Duty... Also Suspected of Dispatching Prosecutors During Martial Law

Remained Silent on Yoon's Forfeiture of Immediate Appeal and Park Seong-jae's Dispatch Order Allegations

Former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung appears before special prosecutor (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lim Hwa-young = Former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung is appearing as an accused person on the 21st at the office of Special Prosecutor for Rebellion Jo Eun-seok, located at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, to be investigated regarding the circumstances of not filing an immediate appeal when the detention of former President Yoon was rescinded. 2025.9.21 hwayoung7@yna.co.kr

The special prosecution team investigating the rebellion and foreign exchange cases related to the December 3rd emergency martial law situation summoned former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung as an accused person on the 21st.

As he entered the central entrance of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office around 9:54 AM, Shim did not answer any of the reporters' questions, such as "Your stance on forfeiting the immediate appeal for the rescission of former President Yoon's detention," "Did you receive an order from former Justice Minister Park Seong-jae to dispatch prosecutors during the emergency martial law?" and "There are suspicions that prosecutors were dispatched to the National Election Commission."

Previously, the ruling party and civic groups had accused Shim of abuse of power and dereliction of duty for failing to file an immediate appeal against the court's decision to revoke the detention of former President Yoon in March.

Former President Yoon, who was arrested and indicted on charges including leading a rebellion at the time, requested the court to revoke his detention, arguing that the prosecution's indictment was made after his detention period expired. The court granted his request.

The investigation team had suggested filing an immediate appeal against the court's decision to revoke detention to have it reviewed by a higher court. However, after discussions including a meeting of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office department heads, Shim decided not to appeal, considering potential unconstitutionality, and thus directed the release of former President Yoon.

It is anticipated that the special prosecution team will confirm the facts regarding suspicions of prosecutor dispatch during the emergency martial law in today's investigation.

There are allegations that former Minister Park issued an order during a meeting of Justice Ministry officials shortly after the declaration of emergency martial law to "review the dispatch of prosecutors to the joint investigation headquarters." Minister Park had three phone calls with Prosecutor General Shim from 11 PM on December 3rd of last year until the early morning of the next day.

There are also suspicions that prosecutors from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office contacted the Defense Security Command during the emergency martial law and were dispatched to the National Election Commission.

During the investigation of Defense Security Command personnel, the police reportedly secured testimony to the effect that they received orders to "support the upcoming prosecutors and intelligence agency that will go to the National Election Commission after the declaration of martial law."

Conversely, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office refuted these claims, stating, "We have not received any requests for dispatch related to martial law from any agency, including the Defense Security Command, nor have we dispatched any personnel."

Earlier, to secure tangible evidence that would clarify the truth behind the related suspicions, the special prosecution team conducted raids and searches of Shim Woo-jung's mobile phone and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 25th of last month. Yonhap News