State crisis in South Korea: President Yoon does not appear at the summons

After his temporary removal from office, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol refuses to cooperate with law enforcement authorities. Despite being personally summoned, the 63-year-old did not appear at the corruption investigation agency to be questioned about his temporary declaration of martial law, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. Several attempts to serve the summons to Yoon had previously failed. The presidential office either did not accept the document or sent it back unopened by post.

A team of investigators consisting of members of the police, the anti-corruption agency and representatives of the Ministry of Defense want to investigate whether Yoon is guilty of the offenses of rioting and abuse of power. Yoon was removed from office by parliament on Saturday. Prime Minister Han Duck Soo took over the official duties on an interim basis before the Constitutional Court makes the final decision.

It can either confirm Yoon’s impeachment or declare it unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court has scheduled the impeachment trial against President Yoon to begin on December 27th. It is unclear whether he will appear at the appointment in person.

The opposition accuses Yoon of violating the constitution. At the beginning of December, he completely unexpectedly imposed martial law and lifted it again hours later after massive resistance. Yoon defended his decision by saying he declared martial law to protect the nation. His political opponents are “anti-state forces” that would paralyze government work and disrupt the country’s constitutional order.