Han Donghoon Fails to Receive Court Summons Again Due to "Absence With Door Closed"... October 2 Witness Examination Uncertain

Special Prosecutor Investigates Alleged Obstruction of Martial Law Lifting
Witness Summons Not Delivered Due to Absence With Door Closed
Failure to Comply Without Valid Reason May Lead to Compulsory Appearance or Fine

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon is unlikely to attend the witness examination scheduled for October 2, as he has once again failed to receive a court summons. Previously, Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok's team investigating the insurrection case requested a pre-trial witness examination of Han from the court, in connection with allegations of obstructing the resolution to lift martial law.

People Power Party presidential candidate Han Donghoon listens to candidate Kim Moonsoo's acceptance speech at the 5th Party Convention held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province on May 3, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

According to the legal community on October 1, Judge Jeon Eunjin of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 sent a witness summons to Han on September 23, but it was not delivered due to "absence with the door closed." This term means that the summons could not be delivered because the door at the address was closed and no one was present.

Earlier, on September 10, the special prosecutor's team requested a pre-trial witness examination of Han from the court. A pre-trial witness examination is a procedure in which, if an investigative agency's witness refuses to appear or testify, the court is asked to summon the witness and secure their testimony before the first trial. Investigative agencies can request the appearance of suspects or witnesses, and the court can summon defendants or witnesses.

The special prosecutor's team believes Han's testimony is necessary regarding suspicions that former People Power Party floor leader Chu Kyungho repeatedly changed the location of the parliamentary meeting on the day of the martial law, thereby preventing party lawmakers from participating in the vote to lift martial law. The court accepted the special prosecutor's request on September 12 and designated September 23 as the date for the examination.

However, both witness summonses sent by the court were not delivered due to "absence with the door closed," and as a result, Han did not appear in court.

In response, the court decided to proceed with the witness examination again on October 2. However, since Han has again failed to receive the summons, it is highly likely that the examination will not take place. Because a court summons is legally binding, failure to comply without a valid reason may result in the issuance of a warrant for compulsory appearance or the imposition of a fine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.