South Korean President Yoon, who was suspended after impeachment, again refused to be questioned by investigators about the failed attempt at military rule on Friday. South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol has refused to speak during questioning in the investigation process as the deadline for impeachment approaches.
Yun declared martial law on December 3, citing the need to confront threats from “anti-state elements.” The declaration was withdrawn within hours after opposition lawmakers and public demonstrations. The President’s move has pushed the country towards chaos.
His declaration failed in just six hours after he intervened in parliament and failed to prevent a vote in parliament to reject martial law. In the weeks that followed, Yoon was impeached by parliament and went into hiding in his protected residence to protest his arrest, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to be detained.
An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday morning after his residence was raided. The warrant allowed Yun to be detained for only 48 hours. Investigators are expected to request a new arrest warrant to extend his detention on Friday, potentially ordering him to be held for 20 days. This would give prosecutors time to formalize charges against him.
The Corruption Investigation Office is investigating him on possible charges of rebellion, and if convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. If a new warrant is filed on Friday, Yun will be held in custody at least until a court hearing and a ruling on its approval over the weekend. If the court denies it after the hearing, he will be released.
The CIO summoned Yun for questioning at 10 a.m. local time on Friday, but his lawyer Yun Kab-Kyun told AFP that he had refused to appear for the second day in a row. CIO officials did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment. “Yoon has already told investigators about his situation,” another lawyer, Seok Dong-Hyeon, told reporters on Friday. “There is no reason to answer their questions.”
Dong-Hyeon said, “The president will not be present at the CIO today. He has adequately expressed his basic views to the investigators on the first day.” Yun was questioned for hours on Wednesday, but exercised his “right to remain silent” before refusing to appear for questioning the next day.
