South Korean President to be questioned on December 18

On December 14, the South Korean National Assembly impeached President Yoon Seok-yeol for imposing martial law, suspending his powers. The Constitutional Court must now decide whether to confirm the impeachment or reinstate Yoon Seok-yeol.

President Yoon Seok-yeol is under investigation for alleged sedition aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order.

Earlier, Yonhap reported that prosecutors summoned President Yoon for questioning on December 15 but he did not appear.

The joint investigation team, made up of police, the Corruption Investigation Office for Senior Officials (CIO) and the Defense Ministry’s investigative unit, said it would ask Yoon to appear in court on Dec. 18 to investigate charges of rebellion and abuse of power. If Yoon continues to defy the questioning, prosecutors or the joint investigation team could ask the court to issue an arrest warrant for him.

If Mr. Yoon is impeached, South Korea will hold a new presidential election within 60 days. While awaiting the verdict, presidential power has been temporarily handed over to Prime Minister Han Duck Soo to maintain national stability.

Also according to Yonhap, the leader of the ruling People's Party (PPP), Han Dong Hoon, resigned on December 16. Mr. Han Dong Hoon said he had no regrets about his decisions, despite facing opposition from the party for calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.