South Korea&rsquo;s suspended president, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-half-a-million-people-stage-mass-rally-in-south-korea-demanding-removal-of-yoon-suk-yeol-8573806">Yoon Suk Yeol</a>, has&nbsp;once again failed to comply with a summons from law enforcement officials, according to a report by Yonhap news agency on Sunday (December 29). 
This is the third time he has ignored summons. He had previously ignored summons on December 18 and December 25 without providing any explanation for his absence.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-plane-carrying-181-people-crashes-at-muan-airport-plane-crash-people-killed-23-dead-or-injured-8574368">South Korea plane tragedy: Death toll rises to 179; crash site declared special disaster zone</a>
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had ordered Yoon to appear for questioning at 10 am (GMT 0100) on Sunday. However, the 63-year-old president refused to come.
In a statement, the CIO confirmed, &ldquo;President Yoon Suk Yeol did not appear at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) at 10 am today.&rdquo; The office further added, &ldquo;The Joint Investigation Headquarters will review and decide on future measures.&rdquo;
The CIO is now considering its next steps, which may include issuing another summons or seeking an arrest warrant from the court to compel Yoon&rsquo;s appearance.
<h2>Why is Yoon Suk Yeol under investigation?</h2>
The investigation was triggered by Yoon&rsquo;s sudden declaration of martial law on 3 December, which was lifted only a few hours later. The conservative leader was stripped of his presidential duties by parliament on 14 December. The Constitutional Court is currently reviewing the impeachment vote.
The court has six months to issue its ruling. Should the impeachment be upheld, a by-election must be held within 60 days to elect a new president.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-plane-crash-passengers-heartbreaking-text-minutes-before-crash-8575604">'My last words,&rsquo; Passenger&rsquo;s heartbreaking text just before S Korea plane crash</a>
In Yoon&rsquo;s absence, state affairs are being managed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meet-choi-sang-mok-south-koreas-new-acting-president-who-vowed-to-overcome-political-turmoil-8570988">Choi Sang-mok</a>, the vice premier and finance minister, who is acting as president. This comes from the recent impeachment of Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo by parliament.
Han was removed from office on Friday after refusing to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court.
Yoon is also facing criminal charges of insurrection, which, if proven, may lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The investigation was triggered by Yoon’s sudden declaration of martial law on December 3, which was lifted later. He was impeached by parliament on December 14.

South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has once again failed to comply with a summons from law enforcement officials, according to a report by Yonhap news agency on Sunday (December 29). This is the third time he has ignored summons. He had previously ignored summons on December 18 and December 25 without providing any explanation for his absence. Also read: South Korea plane tragedy: Death toll rises to 179; crash site declared special disaster zone The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had ordered Yoon to appear for questioning at 10 am (GMT 0100) on Sunday. However, the 63-year-old president refused to come. In a statement, the CIO confirmed, “President Yoon Suk Yeol did not appear at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) at 10 am today.” The office further added, “The Joint Investigation Headquarters will review and decide on future measures.” The CIO is now considering its next steps, which may include issuing another summons or seeking an arrest warrant from the court to compel Yoon’s appearance. Why is Yoon Suk Yeol under investigation? The investigation was triggered by Yoon’s sudden declaration of martial law on 3 December, which was lifted only a few hours later. The conservative leader was stripped of his presidential duties by parliament on 14 December. The Constitutional Court is currently reviewing the impeachment vote. The court has six months to issue its ruling. Should the impeachment be upheld, a by-election must be held within 60 days to elect a new president. Also read: 'My last words,’ Passenger’s heartbreaking text just before S Korea plane crash In Yoon’s absence, state affairs are being managed by Choi Sang-mok, the vice premier and finance minister, who is acting as president. This comes from the recent impeachment of Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo by parliament. Han was removed from office on Friday after refusing to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court. Yoon is also facing criminal charges of insurrection, which, if proven, may lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea: Suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol ignores another summons in martial law probe

South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol authorised the military to fire their weapons if needed to enter parliament during his failed bid to impose martial law, according to a prosecutors' report seen by AFP on Saturday.
The 10-page summary from former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun's prosecution indictment report, which was provided to the media, also says Yoon vowed on December 3 to declare martial law three times if necessary.
Yoon, who was stripped of his duties by the National Assembly this month, is under investigation for his short-lived attempt to scrap civilian rule, which plunged the country into political turmoil and led to his impeachment.
Yoon's lawyer Yoon Kab-keun dismissed the prosecutors' report, telling AFP it was "a one-sided account that neither corresponds to objective circumstances nor common sense".
As lawmakers rushed to parliament on December 3 to vote down Yoon's martial law declaration, heavily armed troops stormed the building, scaling fences, smashing windows and landing by helicopter.
According to the prosecution indictment report, Yoon told the chief of the capital defence command, Lee Jin-woo, that military forces could shoot if necessary to enter the National Assembly.
"Have you still not got in? What are you doing? Break down the door and drag them out, even if it means shooting," Yoon told Lee, according to the report.
Yoon also allegedly told the head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, General Kwak Jong-keun, to "quickly get inside" the National Assembly since the quorum for the martial law declaration to be lifted had not been met.
"So quickly get inside the National Assembly and bring out the people inside the chamber, and break down the doors with an axe if necessary and drag everyone out," the report quotes Yoon as saying at the time.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hospital-or-hamas-lair-who-says-israeli-raid-put-gazas-last-major-hospital-out-of-service-8571974">Hospital or Hamas lair? WHO says Israeli raid put Gaza's last major hospital 'out of service'</a>
After lawmakers rushed inside parliament and voted 190-0 to nullify Yoon's declaration in the early hours of December 4, the report says Yoon told Lee, "Even if it's lifted, I can declare martial law a second or third time, so just keep going."&nbsp;
The report also included screenshots of senior defence officials' messages from the day of the martial law declaration.
It said there was evidence that Yoon had been discussing declaring martial law with senior military officials as early as March.&nbsp;
The declaration followed a budget tussle between Yoon's party and the opposition.
Days later, Yoon said in a speech that he apologised for the "anxiety and inconvenience" and promised that there would not be a second declaration of martial law.&nbsp;
Ex-defence minister Kim was arrested this month over his role in the failed martial law bid.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volodymyr-zelensky-calls-for-thorough-investigation-into-azerbaijan-airlines-plane-crash-amid-reports-of-russian-involvement-8572078">Zelensky calls for 'thorough investigation' into Azerbaijan plane crash amid reports of Russian involvement</a>
Opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo said in a statement on Saturday that "the prosecution has laid bare the undeniable ugly truth about Yoon Suk Yeol, the treasonous ringleader", adding that he must be "arrested immediately".&nbsp;
South Korea's Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon's impeachment on Friday, with the suspended president's legal team attending.
The court will also decide the fate of Yoon's replacement, Han Duck-soo, who was impeached Friday over his refusal to complete Yoon's impeachment process and bring him to justice.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.


South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol authorised the military to fire their weapons if needed to enter parliament during his failed bid to impose martial law 

South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol authorised the military to fire their weapons if needed to enter parliament during his failed bid to impose martial law, according to a prosecutors' report seen by AFP on Saturday. The 10-page summary from former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun's prosecution indictment report, which was provided to the media, also says Yoon vowed on December 3 to declare martial law three times if necessary. Yoon, who was stripped of his duties by the National Assembly this month, is under investigation for his short-lived attempt to scrap civilian rule, which plunged the country into political turmoil and led to his impeachment. Yoon's lawyer Yoon Kab-keun dismissed the prosecutors' report, telling AFP it was "a one-sided account that neither corresponds to objective circumstances nor common sense". As lawmakers rushed to parliament on December 3 to vote down Yoon's martial law declaration, heavily armed troops stormed the building, scaling fences, smashing windows and landing by helicopter. According to the prosecution indictment report, Yoon told the chief of the capital defence command, Lee Jin-woo, that military forces could shoot if necessary to enter the National Assembly. "Have you still not got in? What are you doing? Break down the door and drag them out, even if it means shooting," Yoon told Lee, according to the report. Yoon also allegedly told the head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, General Kwak Jong-keun, to "quickly get inside" the National Assembly since the quorum for the martial law declaration to be lifted had not been met. "So quickly get inside the National Assembly and bring out the people inside the chamber, and break down the doors with an axe if necessary and drag everyone out," the report quotes Yoon as saying at the time. Also read | Hospital or Hamas lair? WHO says Israeli raid put Gaza's last major hospital 'out of service' After lawmakers rushed inside parliament and voted 190-0 to nullify Yoon's declaration in the early hours of December 4, the report says Yoon told Lee, "Even if it's lifted, I can declare martial law a second or third time, so just keep going." The report also included screenshots of senior defence officials' messages from the day of the martial law declaration. It said there was evidence that Yoon had been discussing declaring martial law with senior military officials as early as March. The declaration followed a budget tussle between Yoon's party and the opposition. Days later, Yoon said in a speech that he apologised for the "anxiety and inconvenience" and promised that there would not be a second declaration of martial law. Ex-defence minister Kim was arrested this month over his role in the failed martial law bid. Also read | Zelensky calls for 'thorough investigation' into Azerbaijan plane crash amid reports of Russian involvement Opposition Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo said in a statement on Saturday that "the prosecution has laid bare the undeniable ugly truth about Yoon Suk Yeol, the treasonous ringleader", adding that he must be "arrested immediately". South Korea's Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon's impeachment on Friday, with the suspended president's legal team attending. The court will also decide the fate of Yoon's replacement, Han Duck-soo, who was impeached Friday over his refusal to complete Yoon's impeachment process and bring him to justice. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

South Korean prosecutors accuse Yoon of authorising 'shooting' in martial law bid

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol&rsquo;s legal team are set to attend court on Friday as the constitutional court begins&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/16/south-korea-han-dong-hoon-resignation-impeachment-yoon-suk-yeol" data-link-name="in body link">hearings into his impeachment</a>&nbsp;by parliament over his short-lived imposition of martial law,
The court has 180 days to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him. In the latter scenario, a new presidential election would be held within 60 days.
<div id="sign-in-gate"><gu-island name="SignInGateSelector" priority="feature" deferuntil="visible" props="{&quot;contentType&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;,&quot;sectionId&quot;:&quot;world&quot;,&quot;tags&quot;:[{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world/south-korea&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;South Korea&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world/asia-pacific&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Asia Pacific&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;world/world&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Keyword&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;World news&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;type/article&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Type&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Article&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tone/news&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tone&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;News&quot;},{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;tracking/commissioningdesk/australia-foreign&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;Tracking&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Australia Foreign&quot;}],&quot;isPaidContent&quot;:false,&quot;isPreview&quot;:false,&quot;host&quot;:&quot;https://www.theguardian.com&quot;,&quot;pageId&quot;:&quot;world/2024/dec/27/south-korea-president-yoon-suk-yeol-impeachment-trial-president-martial-law&quot;,&quot;idUrl&quot;:&quot;https://profile.theguardian.com&quot;,&quot;switches&quot;:{&quot;externalVideoEmbeds&quot;:true,&quot;abSignInGateMainVariant&quot;:true,&quot;lightbox&quot;:true,&quot;abGpidPrebidAdUnits&quot;:true,&quot;prebidAppnexusUkRow&quot;:true,&quot;prebidMagnite&quot;:true,&quot;commercialMetrics&quot;:true,&quot;prebidTrustx&quot;:true,&quot;scAdFreeBanner&quot;:false,&quot;adaptiveSite&quot;:true,&quot;prebidPermutiveAudience&quot;:true,&quot;compareVariantDecision&quot;:false,&quot;enableSentryReporting&quot;:true,&quot;lazyLoadContainers&quot;:true,&quot;ampArticleSwitch&quot;:true,&quot;remarketing&quot;:true,&quot;articleEndSlot&quot;:true,&quot;keyEventsCarousel&quot;:true,&quot;registerWithPhone&quot;:false,&quot;darkModeWeb&quot;:true,&quot;targeting&quot;:true,&quot;remoteHeader&quot;:true,&quot;slotBodyEnd&quot;:true,&quot;prebidImproveDigitalSkins&quot;:false,&quot;ampPrebidOzone&quot;:true,&quot;extendedMostPopularFronts&quot;:true,&quot;emailInlineInFooter&quot;:true,&quot;showNewPrivacyWordingOnEmailSignupEmbeds&quot;:true,&quot;prebidAnalytics&quot;:true,&quot;extendedMostPopular&quot;:true,&quot;ampContentAbTesting&quot;:false,&quot;prebidCriteo&quot;:true,&quot;okta&quot;:true,&quot;imrWorldwide&quot;:true,&quot;acast&quot;:true,&quot;twitterUwt&quot;:true,&quot;abRegionSpecificPrebid&quot;:true,&quot;prebidAppnexusInvcode&quot;:true,&quot;ampPrebidPubmatic&quot;:true,&quot;abUsaExpandableMarketingCard&quot;:false,&quot;a9HeaderBidding&quot;:true,&quot;prebidAppnexus&quot;:true,&quot;abOnwardsContentArticle&quot;:false,&quot;enableDiscussionSwitch&quot;:true,&quot;prebidXaxis&quot;:true,&quot;stickyVideos&quot;:true,&quot;interactiveFullHeaderSwitch&quot;:true,&quot;discussionAllPageSize&quot;:true,&quot;prebidUserSync&quot;:true,&quot;audioOnwardJourneySwitch&quot;:true,&quot;brazeTaylorReport&quot;:false,&quot;callouts&quot;:true,&quot;sentinelLogger&quot;:true,&quot;geoMostPopular&quot;:true,&quot;weAreHiring&quot;:false,&quot;relatedContent&quot;:true,&quot;thirdPartyEmbedTracking&quot;:true,&quot;prebidOzone&quot;:true,&quot;ampLiveblogSwitch&quot;:true,&quot;ampAmazon&quot;:true,&quot;prebidAdYouLike&quot;:true,&quot;mostViewedFronts&quot;:true,&quot;optOutAdvertising&quot;:true,&quot;abSignInGateMainControl&quot;:true,&quot;googleSearch&quot;:true,&quot;disableFrontContainerShowHide&quot;:false,&quot;abOptOutFrequencyCap&quot;:true,&quot;brazeSwitch&quot;:true,&quot;prebidKargo&quot;:true,&quot;consentManagement&quot;:true,&quot;personaliseSignInGateAfterCheckout&quot;:true,&quot;prebidSonobi&quot;:true,&quot;idProfileNavigation&quot;:true,&quot;confiantAdVerification&quot;:true,&quot;discussionAllowAnonymousRecommendsSwitch&quot;:false,&quot;absoluteServerTimes&quot;:false,&quot;permutive&quot;:true,&quot;comscore&quot;:true,&quot;ampPrebidCriteo&quot;:true,&quot;commercialBundleUpdater&quot;:true,&quot;newsletterOnwards&quot;:false,&quot;youtubeIma&quot;:true,&quot;webFonts&quot;:true,&quot;liveBlogTopSponsorship&quot;:true,&quot;prebidImproveDigital&quot;:false,&quot;abAdBlockAsk&quot;:false,&quot;ophan&quot;:true,&quot;crosswordSvgThumbnails&quot;:true,&quot;prebidTriplelift&quot;:true,&quot;weather&quot;:true,&quot;prebidPubmatic&quot;:true,&quot;serverShareCounts&quot;:false,&quot;autoRefresh&quot;:true,&quot;enhanceTweets&quot;:true,&quot;prebidIndexExchange&quot;:true,&quot;prebidOpenx&quot;:true,&quot;prebidHeaderBidding&quot;:true,&quot;idCookieRefresh&quot;:true,&quot;discussionPageSize&quot;:true,&quot;smartAppBanner&quot;:false,&quot;historyTags&quot;:true,&quot;brazeContentCards&quot;:true,&quot;remoteBanner&quot;:true,&quot;emailSignupRecaptcha&quot;:true,&quot;prebidSmart&quot;:true,&quot;shouldLoadGoogletag&quot;:true,&quot;inizio&quot;:true,&quot;europeBetaFront&quot;:true}}" data-island-status="hydrated"></gu-island></div>
Two lawyers in Yoon&rsquo;s legal team are set to attend the court hearing, one a former prosecutor and the other a former spokesperson for the constitutional court, according to a message to reporters from Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon. The two could not be immediately reached for comment.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-opposition-files-impeachment-motion-against-acting-president-han-duck-soo-8568046">S Korea opposition files impeachment motion against acting president</a>
Yoon is not required to attend the hearing.
How South Korea&rsquo;s president sealed his own downfall Read more The unexpected martial law decree and swift political fallout shocked the nation and financial markets, unsettling key allies the United States and Europe which had seen Yoon as a staunch partner in global efforts to counter China, Russia and North Korea.
The crisis intensified this week as the opposition Democratic Party vowed to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo after he rejected a call to immediately appoint three justices to the constitutional court to fill vacancies.
Parliament is scheduled to meet on Friday afternoon. The Democratic party has said it would bring to a vote a motion to impeach Han.
The party has clashed with the Yoon-appointed prime minister over the justices, as well as bills calling for special prosecutors to investigate the president.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-1000-north-korean-soldiers-killed-or-wounded-in-russia-ukraine-war-south-korea-786146">Over 1,000 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded in Russia-Ukraine war: South Korea</a>
On Thursday, Han said it was beyond his remit as a caretaker president to appoint the justices without bipartisan agreement.
In a separate criminal case, Yoon had until Thursday defied requests by the court to submit documents as well as summons by investigators over his martial law declaration on 3 December, drawing criticism even from some members of his party.
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-rally-in-south-korea-protesting-against-president-yoons-impeachment-blames-rigged-elections-785827">Thousands rally in South Korea, protesting against President Yoon's impeachment, blame rigged elections</a>
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the country and the world with a late-night announcement on Dec. 3 that he was imposing martial law.

South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol’s legal team are set to attend court on Friday as the constitutional court begins hearings into his impeachment by parliament over his short-lived imposition of martial law, The court has 180 days to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him. In the latter scenario, a new presidential election would be held within 60 days. Two lawyers in Yoon’s legal team are set to attend the court hearing, one a former prosecutor and the other a former spokesperson for the constitutional court, according to a message to reporters from Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer advising Yoon. The two could not be immediately reached for comment. Also read: S Korea opposition files impeachment motion against acting president Yoon is not required to attend the hearing. How South Korea’s president sealed his own downfall Read more The unexpected martial law decree and swift political fallout shocked the nation and financial markets, unsettling key allies the United States and Europe which had seen Yoon as a staunch partner in global efforts to counter China, Russia and North Korea. The crisis intensified this week as the opposition Democratic Party vowed to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo after he rejected a call to immediately appoint three justices to the constitutional court to fill vacancies. Parliament is scheduled to meet on Friday afternoon. The Democratic party has said it would bring to a vote a motion to impeach Han. The party has clashed with the Yoon-appointed prime minister over the justices, as well as bills calling for special prosecutors to investigate the president. Also read: Over 1,000 North Korean soldiers killed or wounded in Russia-Ukraine war: South Korea On Thursday, Han said it was beyond his remit as a caretaker president to appoint the justices without bipartisan agreement. In a separate criminal case, Yoon had until Thursday defied requests by the court to submit documents as well as summons by investigators over his martial law declaration on 3 December, drawing criticism even from some members of his party. Also read: Thousands rally in South Korea, protesting against President Yoon's impeachment, blame rigged elections Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

South Korea's suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment hearing over martial law crisis