South Korean President Yoon Rejects Second Summons Over Martial Law Controversy
International news section 26-12-2024
For the second time in a week, South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has refused to comply with a summons for questioning regarding his brief and controversial declaration of martial law.
Yoon failed to appear before the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Authorities sought to question him on allegations of insurrection and abuse of power. His absence follows a previous no-show for a summons by prosecutors on December 15.
A former top prosecutor turned politician, Yoon has been suspended from office since December 14, following an overwhelming impeachment vote in the National Assembly, where 204 members supported the motion against him, compared to 85 who opposed it.
The Constitutional Court of Korea is now tasked with deciding whether to uphold the impeachment and permanently remove Yoon from office. This decision requires the support of at least six of the court’s nine justices. The court has scheduled its first public hearing for December 27, but the process could take up to six months. If the court confirms his removal, South Korea would hold new elections within two months.
The crisis was triggered by Yoon’s unexpected declaration of martial law on December 4, which he justified as a necessary measure to address “anti-state forces.” The move shocked the nation, sparking its most severe political turmoil in decades.
Yoon continues to defend his actions, insisting they were lawful and pledging to face ongoing investigations “fairly.”
