Gwacheon, South Korea — President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently suspended from office, missed a second request for questioning by anti-corruption authorities on Wednesday. These officials, alongside prosecutors, are looking into Yoon’s brief martial law declaration made earlier this month.
As of 10 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Christmas Day, Yoon had not shown up for questioning by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, having also skipped the initial summons last week. An official from the agency stated they would keep waiting for Yoon but emphasized the need for further assessment of the situation before deciding to pursue an arrest warrant, according to Yonhap news agency.
Yoon previously did not respond to an invitation to meet with prosecutors regarding the martial law declaration on December 15. His ongoing refusal to answer these summonses has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who are calling for his arrest, raising concerns about the possibility of evidence being destroyed.
In a televised address on December 7, shortly after declaring martial law, Yoon stated that he would not shy away from his legal and political responsibilities. Following his martial law declaration, he was impeached by parliament on December 14 and now faces a trial in the Constitutional Court to determine whether he will remain in office or regain his presidential powers.
Investigations are ongoing by prosecutors, police, and the corruption investigation office into Yoon and other officials, exploring possible charges such as insurrection and abuse of power. Notably, insurrection is one of the few allegations for which a South Korean president does not have legal immunity.
A lawyer representing Yoon has indicated that the president is prepared to share his perspective in person during the legal proceedings linked to the martial law declaration.
