South Korea: ousted President Yoon ordered to present himself for questioning by Saturday

South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday ordered deposed President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear by Saturday for questioning over his failed attempt to impose martial law, or face a possible arrest warrant, according to the agency. Yonhap National.

Suspended since this weekend with the adoption by deputies of a motion for dismissal against him, Mr. Yoon is the subject of two investigations for “rebellion”.

Late on December 3, he stunned the country by proclaiming martial law by surprise and sending the army to Parliament to muzzle him, before having to backpedal before dawn under pressure from the National Assembly and demonstrators.

The 63-year-old former star prosecutor risks – just like allies also involved in his coup – life imprisonment and even theoretically the death penalty if he is found guilty of “rebellion”. He is prohibited from leaving the territory.

On Tuesday, the prosecution ordered Mr. Yoon to appear by Saturday for questioning, or risk being targeted by a possible arrest warrant if he did not comply, Yonhap reported, citing prosecutors.

The suspended president has been postponing their summons since Sunday.

A team of investigators from the police, the anti-corruption agency and the Defense Ministry leading the second investigation requested that Yoon Suk Yeol answer their questions on Wednesday, but their request was rejected by the ousted leader’s office. , still according to Yonhap.

– “Continue the fight” –

In addition, the South Korean Constitutional Court launched a review of Mr. Yoon’s impeachment proceedings on Monday. It must judge the validity of the deputies’ motion within approximately six months.

If the Court confirms it, Yoon Suk Yeol will be deposed and a presidential election must be held within two months. The winner would be invested the day after the result, without the usual transition period.

During this period of up to eight months, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will act as interim minister.

The court has set a preliminary hearing for December 27, which Mr. Yoon will not be required to attend, Lee Jean, a spokeswoman, told reporters on Monday.

“This file will be considered a high priority,” she assured.

The outcome is in little doubt according to most experts, as the violations of the Constitution and the law accused of Yoon Suk Yeol are blatant.

Large anti-Yoon demonstrations have multiplied since his takeover, as have smaller rallies in his support, and protesters from both camps have affirmed that they will continue to pound the streets until the Court’s ruling.

On Monday evening, hundreds of South Koreans held a vigil in central Seoul, calling for the formal impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol.

“I came back here, hoping that we will never have another president like him,” Kim Chan-suk, 67, told AFP.

“I go out every day to continue the fight until the Constitutional Court delivers its judgment,” added Han Myung-hak, 52.

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