
South Korea's ex-President Yoon probed over failed martial law bid, World News
SEOUL - South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol answered a summons on Saturday (June 28) by a special prosecutor under a threat of another arrest as an investigation intensified over the ousted leader's failed bid to impose martial law in December.
Yoon, through his lawyers, has protested the special prosecutor's demands to appear for questioning under media attention as a violation of his rights and a tactic to publicly humiliate him.
His lawyers said in a statement Yoon would respond to the investigation on Saturday and tell the truth. They described the investigation as "politically motivated" and "full of falsehood and distortion".
Yoon did not answer questions from reporters as he entered the special prosecutor's office.
The martial law attempt in December shocked a country that had prided itself on becoming a thriving democracy, having overcome military dictatorship in the 1980s.
Yoon was later oustered in April by the Constitutional Court that upheld his impeachment by parliament.
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The special prosecutor sought a warrant to arrest Yoon for refusing to answer repeated summons earlier, but it was rejected by a court this week on grounds that he has since expressed willingness to co-operate.
The special prosecutor was appointed in early June and has launched a team of more than 200 prosecutors and investigators to take over ongoing investigations of Yoon, a former top prosecutor who was elected president in 2022.
Yoon is already on trial for leading the December 3 martial law declaration. He had been arrested in January after resisting authorities armed with a court warrant trying to take him into custody, but was released after 52 days on legal technicalities.
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CNA
44 minutes ago
- CNA
Thousands show up in support of LGBTQ community at annual Pink Dot rally
SINGAPORE: Heavy rainfall on Saturday (Jun 28) afternoon halted just in time as the 17th edition of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rally Pink Dot began. Thousands of supporters brought Hong Lim Park to life with bold outfits in different hues of pink. They lounged on picnic mats, reconnected with old friends and made new ones, while children ran around with balloons in hand and pet dogs trotted alongside their owners. This year's theme, "Different Stories, Same Love", aims to celebrate love in all its forms as the LGBTQ community comes together to share hopes for a more inclusive future. This is the third year of Pink Dot since Section 377A, a decades-old law criminalising gay sex, was repealed in November 2022. Two Members of Parliament (MPs) from the People's Action Party (PAP) were spotted visiting booths and engaging with committee members from Pink Dot. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, MP for Potong Pasir SMC Alex Yeo said he was 'very happy' to be at the rally to engage and listen to the concerns of the LGBTQ community. 'They are part of the Singaporean community, very important part of our community, our overall social compact in our community. And so therefore we are very happy to be here,' Mr Yeo said. MP for Sembawang GRC Ng Shi Xuan said Pink Dot has deepened understanding and created more awareness surrounding topics of inclusivity. 'Conversations will help us to understand each other better. And conversations means two-way right? You talk and you listen. So that's very important,' Mr Ng said. Workers' Party MPs for Sengkang GRC Louis Chua and He Ting Ru were also seen at the rally, but declined to speak to the media. STRONGER ACCEPTANCE, BUT STILL WAYS TO GO Members of the LGBTQ community told CNA they felt more accepted in recent years, with some saying they no longer shy away from attending the rally. Ms Ann, who attended Pink Dot for the fourth time, said she used to feel scared and would only walk outside of Hong Lim Park, but has gained the courage to show up in recent years. 'I know a lot of people who exist very separately from issues that are happening in the queer community,' she said. 'Showing up just helps people remember that there is a community here.' Mr Benjamin Lee, who has been with his male partner for 25 years, said he feels that Singaporeans are more accepting towards the gay community compared to more than two decades ago. 'We had to be more prudent 25 years ago, but we're more open now,' the 53-year-old said. Accompanied by her husband and five-year-old son, 35-year-old Ms Gladys said they attended the rally on Saturday to spend 'family time' together. 'I always believed in freedom to love and to show support towards friends and family. These are the lessons I want to teach my son.' However, others said that more acceptance of the LGBTQ community is needed. Ms Diana said Singapore is a lot more tolerant, which is a "good step forward". "(But) I think Singapore is still conservative. It still takes time for the older generation to get used to us," she said. Ms Diana added: "The inertia, the resistance, is a normal state of mind. But if you close yourself up from the onset, the only person who loses out is you." For Ms Cally Cheung and Ms Ching Sia, two women who are raising a daughter together, having her at Pink Dot with them gives them hope for a future where their family will be legally accepted. 'Someone recently asked me, 'What is the hope for the future?' She is the hope. Just looking at her and thinking about how we are raising her, she is the hope for us,' Ms Cheung said. 'It's a privilege to be able to raise a child and to be able to have a family. And we don't take that privilege lightly,' Ms Sia added. A big part of this year's rally is also aimed at sending a message to Singaporeans of the future, 'to let them know that we are thinking about them, that we are fighting for a future where they can feel more free and more equal and more included than our own community today', said Pink Dot spokesperson Clement Tan. This message was showcased in the form of a time capsule at Hong Lim Park, where almost 70 objects ranging from jewellery to clothing items were placed inside and sealed until 2050. The night ended with attendees holding up pink lights as they enjoyed a performance on stage. 'Pink Dot here exists today because we can prove that what was impossible is possible. In 25 years' time, who knows what may change," said Mr Tan.

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Six Israelis detained for attacking soldiers in West Bank: Military
Palestinian mourners attend the funeral of three people killed on June 25 in Kafr Malik. PHOTO: AFP Six Israelis detained for attacking soldiers in West Bank: Military JERUSALEM - Six Israelis were detained for assaulting soldiers near a town in the occupied West Bank where clashes with Palestinians erupted earlier this week, the military said on June 28. Soldiers went to disperse a gathering of Israelis near the central West Bank town of Kafr Malik overnight from June 27 to June 28, the military said in a statement. 'Upon the arrival of the security forces, dozens of Israeli civilians hurled stones toward them and physically and verbally assaulted the soldiers, including the Battalion Commander,' it said. 'In addition, the civilians vandalised and damaged security forces' vehicles, and attempted to ram the security forces,' it added. 'The security forces dispersed the gathering, and six Israeli civilians were apprehended and transferred to the Israel Police for further processing.' Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military declined to say whether those arrested were residents of Israeli settlements in the territory, which has been occupied by Israel since 1967. The military referred the query to the Israeli police, which was not available to comment. In a separate incident on June 25, the Palestinian health ministry said three men died in Kafr Malik in an attack by settlers. AFP journalists saw several hundred people gather for the three men's funerals on June 26. The Palestinian foreign ministry alleged 'official complicity' by Israel in June 25's attack, in a message on X. 'Israeli occupation forces prevented ambulance crews from reaching the wounded and obstructed civil defense teams from entering the village for several hours, allowing fires ignited by the settlers to spread and destroy dozens of homes,' it said. The Israeli military did not respond to a request by AFP to comment on those claims. A military spokesman told AFP its forces intervened on June 25 after 'dozens of Israeli civilians set fire to property in Kafr Malik' and a 'confrontation' involving 'mutual rock-hurling' broke out between Israelis and Palestinians. Referring to action by the Palestinians, the spokesman said: 'Several terrorists fired from within Kafr Malik and hurled rocks at the forces, who opened fire toward the source of fire and the rock-hurlers.' Five Israelis were arrested, the military added. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Over $2.4 million raised for humanitarian aid in Gaza
(From left) Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) CEO Adnan Abdul Hamid, RLAF chairman Abdul Razak Maricar, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim and Unicef partnerships specialist Kenneth Wong at the cheque presentation ceremony. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN SINGAPORE – More than $2.4 million was raised from Feb 24 to April 6 for Aid for Gaza 2025 in an SG60 community fund-raising initiative together with M³@Towns. The contributions will go towards providing food, clean water, medical supplies, healthcare and education for affected families in Gaza. The fund-raiser was organised by Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), the Egyptian Red Crescent and local humanitarian partner Humanity Matter s. M³@Towns are community-based platforms in Singapore that bring together volunteers and professionals from the Malay/Muslim community to serve the needs of residents, particularly in areas like social and educational support. A mock cheque for $1 million was presented to Unicef in a ceremony at the Singapore Islamic Hub on June 27, but the UN agency will receive the full sum raised. Speaking at the event, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said: 'Today's cheque handover represents more than just financial aid. It reflects our common humanity and deep desire to alleviate the suffering of those in Gaza.' RLAF said it was heartened to share that the funds raised through the campaign reflected 'the continued outpouring of generosity from Singaporeans'. Donors included a hospital; food and beverage, home renovation and travel and tour businesses; temples and individual donors. The foundation, with the support from the community and partners, has raised more than $15 million for Gaza across four campaigns since November 2023. Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have been at war since October 2023. Despite agreeing to a six-week ceasefire in January 2025, the violence and death toll have escalated. On June 25, the Associated Press reported that Israeli forces opened fire on hundreds of Palestinians waiting for aid in separate incidents in southern and central Gaza early on June 24 , killing at least 4 4 . Gaza health authorities said the number of Palestinians killed in the war has risen above 56,000. Associate Professor Faishal said: 'We are hopeful of any indications or signal that shows a movement towards peace in the Middle East. 'So what we hope is that all the different parties will look at opportunities to bring people together... to see how they can help to promote and at the same time, achieve peace among themselves.' Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.