South Korea president’s refusal to cooperate with investigators a ‘tactic’ to undermine, delay probe: Analysts

However, some observers stressed that Yoon’s refusal to cooperate will not help him in any way.

“The general consensus is that there’s enough evidence gathered over the past month and a half to first detain him, to indict him and then in court to convict him,” said Hwang Kyung Moon, Korea Foundation professor at the Australian National University.

“There’s a very good chance, unless he is pardoned sometime down the line, that yesterday was the last day of his life in which he spends out of jail,” he told CNA’s Asia First. 

Authorities have 48 hours to question the suspended president, after which they must release him or seek a warrant to detain him for up to 20 days.

Analysts believe investigators will not wait for the deadline to be up before making a court request for a formal warrant and extend his detention. 

That seems to be the next strategy of the CIO, Lee told CNA938, adding that legal analysts have predicted that the court would most likely approve the extension.