Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has declined to honour a second summons for questioning regarding his contentious declaration of martial law, intensifying the nation’s political turmoil.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) had summoned Yoon to appear in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, on Wednesday at 10 a.m., but he failed to comply. His absence follows a similar refusal to attend a December 15 summons issued by prosecutors.Yoon, who has been suspended from office since December 14, faces allegations of insurrection and abuse of power tied to his martial law decree. His impeachment was ratified by an overwhelming 204-85 vote in the National Assembly, marking a significant blow to his presidency and deepening divisions within South Korea’s political sphere.
The crisis has sparked widespread debate across South Korea, with some citizens calling for swift legal action and others urging restraint to avoid further destabilisation of the nation. As investigations proceed, Yoon’s continued defiance raises questions about accountability and the balance of power within South Korea’s democratic institutions.
