Friday27 December 2024
nbn.in.ua

The President of South Korea is disregarding a summons for questioning regarding the declaration of martial law.

The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, has once again disregarded a summons from the joint investigative team. He is expected to be questioned regarding the declaration of a state of emergency in the country without any apparent justification.
Президент Южной Кореи пропускает вызов на допрос касательно введения военного положения.
Президент Южной Кореи Юн Сук Йоль выступает в президентском дворце в Сеуле, 12 декабря 2024 года

This is reported by Yonhap.

Yoon has been accused of abuse of power. He was summoned to the office of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.

The day before, Yoon's lawyer stated that he is focusing primarily on the Constitutional Court's consideration of his impeachment case. The president plans to announce his position regarding the judicial process after Christmas.

It is worth noting that Yoon Suk Yeol is also suspected of treason. A similar charge was brought against former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently in custody.

The South Korean parliament supported the impeachment of the president on its second attempt. Yoon Suk Yeol himself rejected the accusations of rebellion and stated that he would resist the impeachment process. The government announced that he would not engage in state affairs, particularly diplomacy, for the time being.

What happened in South Korea?

On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly announced during an evening address that a state of martial law was being declared in the country. He cited "anti-state activities" by the opposition, which he accused of supporting North Korea.

Yoon made this statement after several weeks of political disputes over a new state budget bill, which the opposition Democratic Party refused to approve. Instead, the opposition submitted a reduced budget proposal to the parliamentary budget committee, as well as a motion for impeachment against the state auditor and the chief prosecutor.

The declaration of martial law allowed the president to gain strict control over political activities and the media. Yoon's decision shocked even his party, with the leader of the "People Power Party," Han Dong-hoon, calling it "inappropriate."

Following the announcement of martial law, the parliament building was blocked by the military. They did not allow opposition lawmakers inside, who came after Yoon's statement to overturn his decision.

Eventually, around midnight local time, 190 out of 300 members of the National Assembly voted to revoke the martial law. Additionally, thousands of people gathered outside the building, demanding the president's resignation.

Six opposition parties in South Korea filed a petition for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. All senior aides to President Yoon Suk Yeol, including his chief of staff, expressed their desire to resign.