Yoon Suk Yeol, in Seoul, October 25, 2022. JEON HEON-KYUN / POOL / REUTERS The South Korean prosecution on Tuesday, December 17, summoned the deposed president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to appear by Saturday for a questioning over his failed attempt to impose martial law, under penalty of a possible arrest warrant, according to the national Yonhap news agency. Suspended since this weekend with the adoption by deputies of a motion for dismissal against him, Mr. Yoon is the subject of two investigations for “rebellion”. Late on December 3, he stunned the country by proclaiming martial law by surprise and sending the army to Parliament to muzzle him, before having to backpedal before dawn under pressure from the National Assembly and demonstrators. The 63-year-old former star prosecutor risks – just like his allies also involved in the coup – life imprisonment and even theoretically the death penalty if he is found guilty of “rebellion”. He is prohibited from leaving the territory. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers The South Korean president, or the drift of a former prosecutor towards authoritarianism Read later On Tuesday, the prosecution ordered Mr. Yoon to appear by Saturday for questioning, at the risk of be targeted by a possible arrest warrant if he does not comply, Yonhap reported, citing prosecutors who are leading one of the two investigations. The suspended president has been postponing their summons since Sunday. His lawyers on Tuesday rejected the rebellion charges against him, while ensuring that they will cooperate with investigations, Yonhap added. “Although we do not consider the accusations of rebellion to be legally valid, we will comply with the investigations,” Mr. Yoon’s defense said. A team of investigators from the police, the anti-corruption agency and the defense ministry, which is leading the second investigation, attempted on Tuesday to search the premises of the presidential guard to obtain telephone records, according to Yonhap . She had requested the day before that Yoon Suk Yeol answer her questions on Wednesday, but this summons was rejected by the office of the deposed leader, an official explained to journalists. The identity of the person who objected to this refusal is “unknown”, he added. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In South Korea, the far right is mobilized against the dismissal of President Yoon Suk Yeol Read later The demonstrations against Mr. Yoon continue On the political level, the South Korean Constitutional Court launched on Monday , the examination of the impeachment procedure of Yoon Suk Yeol. It must judge the validity of the motion voted on Saturday by the deputies, within six months. If the court confirms it, Mr. Yoon will be deposed and a presidential election must be held within two months. The winner would be invested the day after the result, without the usual transition period. During this maximum period of eight months, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will act as interim prime minister. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers South Korea: President Yoon Suk Yeol dismissed by the National Assembly Read later The court set a preliminary hearing for December 27, which Mr. Yoon will not be required to attend, explained Monday to reporters Lee Jean, a spokeswoman. “This file will be considered a high priority,” she assured. The outcome is in little doubt according to most experts, as the violations of the Constitution and the law accused of Yoon Suk Yeol are blatant. Le Monde Mémorable Test your general knowledge with the editorial staff of “Le Monde” Test your general knowledge with the editorial staff of “Le Monde” Discover Major demonstrations against Mr. Yoon have multiplied since his takeover, as have smaller gatherings in his support, and supporters on both sides said they would continue to demonstrate until the court’s verdict. On Monday evening, hundreds of South Koreans held a vigil in central Seoul, calling for the formal impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In South Korea, young women, spearhead of the mobilization against the president Read later Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content
Author : News7
Publish date : 2024-12-17 07:03:52
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