South Korean President Begins Yoon’s Impeachment Trial

Date: 16 December 2024 - 23:51

News ID: ۱۳۴۷۴۷

SEOUL (AFP) -- Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol resisted investigators’ calls on Monday for him to answer questions over his failed bid to declare martial law this month.
Yoon, suspended from office by parliament since Saturday, faces concurrent probes over alleged insurrection by both South Korean prosecutors and a joint team of police, defense ministry and anti-corruption investigators.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court began proceedings against Yoon on Monday and has around six months to determine whether to uphold the impeachment.
Yoon and some of his inner circle face possible life imprisonment, or even the death penalty, if found guilty and he remains under a travel ban.
Prosecutors issued Yoon with a second summons on Monday for questioning over insurrection and abuse of power allegations after he “refused to comply” with a similar request a day earlier.
The joint investigation unit also asked that the suspended president appear to answer questions on Wednesday but were rebuffed by his office, Yonhap news agency said.
Investigators could seek a court-issued arrest warrant should he continue to refuse.
Yoon was removed by South Korea’s parliament on Saturday over his short-lived attempt to suspend civilian rule, which plunged the country into its worst political turmoil in years.
Fresh elections must be held within two months if his removal is upheld by the Constitutional Court. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving as interim leader in Yoon’s stead.
A spokeswoman for the court said on Monday judges had penciled in a preliminary hearing on December 27, which Yoon is not required to attend.
“During the preparatory hearing, investigation records from the prosecution, police, and other relevant authorities will be promptly secured,” spokeswoman Lee Jean told journalists.
“This case will be given top priority,” she said.
Vast protests against Yoon, with smaller rallies supporting him, have rocked the South Korean capital since his short-lived December 3 martial law decree.
Demonstrators in both camps have vowed to keep up the pressure as the Constitutional Court considers Yoon’s fate.
Police arrested both the current and former heads of the Defense Intelligence Command on Sunday in connection to the insurrection allegations, Yonhap reported.
Prosecutors also arrested the head of the Army Special Warfare Command Kwak Jong-keun, Yonhap said.
Kwak is accused of sending special forces troops to parliament during the martial law bid, sparking a dramatic confrontation between soldiers and parliamentary staff.