▲ A vehicle transporting ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol arrives at a special counsel team's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on June 6, 2026. (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) ex-president-trial

(2nd LD) Ex-President Yoon questioned over messages to justify failed imposition of martial law

(ATTN: ADDS lawyer's comment in last 2 paras)

SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was questioned by a special counsel team Saturday on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of rights in connection with messages allegedly used to justify his declaration of martial law.

Yoon, currently detained at Seoul Detention Center, underwent questioning at the special counsel's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, for about six hours from around 9:50 a.m. It marked his first appearance before the team since its launch on Feb. 25.

He is alleged to have directed the foreign ministry and the National Security Office (NSO) to send messages to allies, including the United States, portraying his martial law declaration as legitimate.

The messages reportedly framed the measures as necessary to safeguard democracy and counter pro-North Korean forces.

The NSO was believed to have delivered Yoon's message to the National Intelligence Service the day after the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024, where it was translated into English and briefed to a CIA official, according to the team.

Investigators are said to have focused on Yoon's intention behind the messages and the circumstances surrounding their transmission.

Yoon reportedly denied the main allegations during the questioning.

"Yoon did not issue detailed instructions to either the NSO or the foreign ministry, nor did he receive any follow-up reports," one of Yoon's lawyers told Yonhap News Agency after the session. "He only made a general comment that the government should do a better job of public communication."

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