Seoul: South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol was questioned by investigators on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of rights related to messages justifying his failed martial law imposition in 2024, as reported by local media.

According to Anadolu Agency, Yoon, who is currently detained at the Seoul Detention Center, made his way to the special counsel's office in Gwacheon, marking his first interrogation by the special counsel team since its inception on February 25. The former president is accused of instructing the Foreign Ministry and the National Security Office (NSO) to send messages, particularly to allies like the US, to legitimize his martial law declaration.

The messages in question reportedly depicted the martial law measures as necessary steps to safeguard democracy and counteract pro-North Korean forces. It is believed that the NSO conveyed Yoon's message to the National Intelligence Service a day after the martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, where it was translated into English and briefed to a CIA official.

The investigation is currently centered on Yoon's motives for sending these messages and the conditions under which they were dispatched. Yoon was removed from office last year after being convicted of imposing martial law, and he is now serving a life sentence related to the martial law decision. Multiple legal cases have been filed against him in connection with these events.