South Korea's former president Yoon defies summons in martial law probe
Yoon was ousted in April by the Constitutional Court, which upheld his impeachment by parliament for a martial law bid that shocked a country that had prided itself on becoming a thriving democracy after overcoming military dictatorship in the 1980s.
Through his lawyers, Yoon, a powerful former top prosecutor elected president in 2022, has accused the special counsel of going on a politically-motivated "witch hunt", describing as illegal some of the tactics used against him.
On Monday, Yoon's lawyers said Jul 5 was the earliest he would be able to appear, citing a trial court hearing on insurrection charges set for Thursday that he must attend and his rights as a defendant to rest and prepare.
A spokesperson for the special prosecutor's team did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Media reported the team has said it will issue another summons for this week.
Yoon has been locked in an unprecedented wrangle with authorities over the investigation by the special counsel appointed in June, which ratcheted up prior efforts by state prosecutors and police to investigate his martial law attempt.
During Yoon's first appearance on Saturday, questioning was interrupted for several hours after he objected to procedures he said violated his rights.
The special prosecutor has said the team would consider action under the criminal code, which analysts and media say probably means an arrest, though the team did not confirm that.
Analysts and some members of Yoon's conservative People Power Party have questioned his intentions, since he was a lead prosecutor in the 2017 graft investigation and prosecution of former President Park Geun-hye.
Two other special prosecutors were appointed in June to sift accusations of wrongdoing by Yoon's wife and obstruction by the presidential office of an investigation into the death of a marine in 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
Tan Cheng Bock and Hazel Poa step down from PSP's top decision-making body
SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) announced on Saturday (Jul 5) that party founder Tan Cheng Bock and former secretary-general Hazel Poa have stepped down from its central executive committee, the party's top decision-making body. Dr Tan will be succeeded as party chairman by Mr A'bas Kasmani. Despite their resignations from the committee, both Dr Tan and Ms Poa remain members of the party. They were part of PSP's slate in West Coast GRC during the 2025 General Election. The party also confirmed that treasurer S Nallakaruppan has stepped down from his position but will remain in the party. To refresh its leadership, PSP said it has co-opted three new members into its central executive committee: Mr Sani Ismail, Mr Lawrence Pek and Ms Stephanie Tan. Mr Leong Mun Wai will remain as secretary-general of the party. PSP lost in all six constituencies it contested in the 2025 polls, ending its five-year presence in parliament through Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seats held by Mr Leong and Ms Poa after their near-win in West Coast GRC in 2020. In particular, PSP's flagship West Coast-Jurong West GRC team – comprising party founder Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Leong, Ms Poa and newcomers Sumarleki Amjah and Mr Ismail – received 39.99 per cent of the vote, losing to a People's Action Party team led by Minister for Education Desmond Lee. In the 2020 General Election, Ms Poa contested under PSP in West Coast GRC West Coast GRC as part of a high-profile PSP team led by Dr Tan, alongside Mr Leong Mun Wai, Mr Nadarajah Loganathan and Mr Jeffrey Khoo. The team garnered 48.32 per cent of the vote – the best performance by a losing opposition team. That led to Ms Poa and Mr Leong being appointed NCMPs, bolstering PSP's visibility and their individual profiles. GE2025 DISAPPOINTMENT Given this, expectations were high going into the 2025 election. The poor showing – an eight-point drop – was met with disappointment within the party. Mr Leong described the results as "very shocking", adding that the PSP would study the results "seriously and humbly" and reconsider how it can gain further trust from Singaporeans. A few days later, he wrote in a Facebook post that the results were "disappointing" but did not signal the end for the party. 'Our call for checks and balances, an inclusive society and fairer opportunities for all remains unshaken. We will regroup, reflect, and return stronger.'
CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
Sengkang murder: Suspect taken back to crime scene
Scroll up for the next video X Sengkang murder: Suspect taken back to crime scene
CNA
13 hours ago
- CNA
French President Macron announces 'historic' Airbus/Malaysia Airlines deal
PARIS :French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday there had been an historic deal between Airbus and Malaysia, as Macron hosted Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Paris. Macron said such deals highlighted the importance of trade between France and Asia, as Europe faces up to likely tariffs from U.S President Donald Trump. "I am thinking of the projects signed in the key minerals sector, in the rare earths sector with the company Carester which has just opened up a factory in the region of Lacq, the transport sector with this historic co-operation between Malaysia Airlines and Airbus, and in the energy transition sector," said Macron. Industry sources told Reuters this week that Airbus was close to winning an order from Malaysia Aviation Group for more A330neo long-haul jets. "Airbus has been our focus. Malaysian Airlines 20, and AirAsia another 50," added Ibrahim.
