The Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials (CIO), the police and the investigation agency of the Ministry of National Defense of South Korea requested President Yoon Suk Yeol to be present at the CIO headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul on on the morning of December 18 to take testimony related to the declaration of martial law on December 3. However, Mr. Yoon did not appear, according to Yonhap.
President Yoon Suk Yeol spoke at the presidential office on December 12
The leader faced charges of inciting rebellion through the declaration of martial law on December 3 and was suspended from his position, awaiting trial by the Constitutional Court after being impeached by the parliament.
The criminal investigation of the above agencies is not related to the trial of the Constitutional Court of Korea.
According to Yonhap, the investigation agency has repeatedly sent summons to President Yoon but the presidential office refused to accept it. CIO Director Oh Dong-woon said that Mr. Yoon’s side was intentionally obstructing and that the CIO could ask the court to order the president’s arrest.
How many Korean generals have been arrested in connection with President Yoon’s failed martial law case?
The prosecution also had a separate investigation and asked Mr. Yoon to appear but was unsuccessful. According to Yonhap, that investigation will likely be stopped after the prosecution agreed to transfer it to the CIO to avoid “stepping on each other’s toes.”
On December 17, Mr. Yoon’s defense team said that multiple simultaneous investigations by all sides were causing confusion.
Regarding the trial of the Constitutional Court of Korea, this judicial agency on December 18 asked Mr. Yoon to provide the martial law document announced on December 3 and the minutes of cabinet meetings before and after the situation. That status was announced. Mr. Yoon must also submit a defense plan and related evidence to the court by December 24.
If found guilty by 6/9 judges of the Constitutional Court, Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol will be deposed and a new presidential election will take place within the next 60 days. On the contrary, Mr. Yoon will be restored to his position. The court has 6 months to make a decision.
Meanwhile, he faces life imprisonment or the death penalty if found guilty in the criminal investigation. Mr. Yoon’s legal team has denied charges of rebellion despite announcing that they will cooperate with the investigation. The leader is banned from leaving the country.
