South Korean investigators have requested impeached President Eun Suk-yeol to appear for questioning this week over his controversial martial law decree. The move comes as authorities expand their investigation into whether Yoon’s actions could be considered treason Associated Press (AP) reported on Monday.
A joint team from the police, the anti-corruption agency and the Ministry of Defense plans to ask Yun to participate in questioning on Wednesday, police said. The request comes after Yun was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday under martial law imposed on December 3.
His presidential powers are suspended while the Constitutional Court reviews whether to remove or reinstate him.
If the court dismisses Yun, a presidential election must be held within 60 days. The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to rule, but decisions on similar cases have come sooner. For example, the court reinstated former President Roh Moo-hyun after 63 days in 2004, while it dismissed President Park Geun-hye after 91 days in 2017.
Yun has defended his orderClaiming that the opposition needed to be addressed, he labeled “anti-state forces” that were obstructing his agenda. He vowed to “fight to the end” against attempts to remove her. Meanwhile, mass demonstrations in Seoul have drawn hundreds of thousands of people demanding his resignation and arrest.
It remains unclear whether Yoon will comply with investigators’ requests. Prosecutors, who have been conducting a separate investigation into the decree, reportedly invited Yoon for questioning on Sunday, but he declined. Yun’s office also barred police from searching the presidential palace for evidence. AP reported.
Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, now acting leader under Yun’s suspension, sought to reassure the public and international allies, saying the government would focus on stabilizing the economy and maintaining diplomacy.
Lee Jae-myung, the main liberal opposition leader of the Democratic Party, which holds the parliamentary majority, urged the Constitutional Court to make a quick decision.
Lee also proposed a special council to improve policy cooperation between parliament and the government. Lee, seen as the frontrunner to succeed Yun, narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election.
However, Kwen Seong-dong, a Yun loyalist and leader of the conservative People Power Party, criticized Lee’s proposal. “It is not right for the opposition to act as if they are the ruling party,” Kwon said, adding that his party will retain its ruling role until the end of Yun’s term.
Yoon’s impeachment and martial law decree have thrown South Korean politics into chaos, hampering diplomacy and economic recovery efforts.
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