Suspended President of South Korea Declines Questioning Once More
Police are warning of potential arrests for dozens of President Yoon Suk Yeol supporters who entered a court building in Seoul on Sunday and caused property damage.
Following his impeachment, President Yoon Suk Yeol declined to be interviewed by investigators on Monday regarding allegations of rebellion related to his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.
Yoon’s non-cooperation with the investigation regarding his decisions on Dec. 3 is a recurring trend.
He is currently facing suspension from office while awaiting a court ruling on potential permanent expulsion following his impeachment by lawmakers.
In the early hours on Sunday, the South Western District Court officially approved his detention, leading to violent incidents.
Amidst clashes with police, hundreds of Yoon’s supporters, some carrying “stop the steal” signs, forcibly entered the Seoul Western District Court building, causing property damage. Some were equipped with fire extinguishers, and footage on social media showed them calling out the name of the judge who issued the warrant.
Chun Dae-yup, the head of the National Court Administration, mentioned that the protesters even entered a judge’s chambers by force.
Acting Justice Minister Kim Seok-woo informed a parliamentary judiciary committee that the police aim to identify and take action against other involved individuals.
Court Incident Was Live Streamed
Several protesters livestreamed the events on YouTube and were arrested by police during their broadcasts.
Security measures have been enhanced at the Seoul Detention Centre, where Yoon is detained, and at the Constitutional Court, where his impeachment trial will occur.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok condemned the “illegal violence” at the courthouse and urged police to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Later on Sunday, Yoon was officially detained, which included the process of taking a police mugshot.
Yoon, through his legal representatives, issued a statement describing his supporters’ actions at the court building as “shocking and unfortunate.” He acknowledged that many of them were expressing feelings of “rage and unfairness.”
Yoon, a former public prosecutor, was elected president in March 2022 under the conservative People Power Party (PPP) banner. He narrowly defeated Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party (DP), which holds a dominant position in the National Assembly.
On Dec. 3, Yoon invoked martial law, alleging that DP leaders were sympathizing with communist North Korea and engaging in activities aiming at rebellion against the state.
Despite deploying hundreds of troops and police to the National Assembly, Yoon’s martial law decree was not approved by lawmakers, forcing him to retract the decision.
This incident raised concerns globally, especially in the United States, an enduring ally of South Korea.
View of the Seoul Detention Centre, where impeached president Yoon is being held, on Jan. 16, 2025. Reuters/Screenshot via NTD
Since 1987, South Korea has functioned under a democratic government, with the last military coup occurring in 1980.
According to South Korea’s constitution, presidents enjoy broad immunity from prosecution except for charges related to insurrection, which is the case for Yoon. While technically punishable by death, South Korea has not carried out any executions since 1997.
In 1998, President Kim Dae-jung implemented a moratorium on executions, including cases like that of serial killer Kang Ho-Sun, who received a death sentence in 2009.
This report includes contributions from Reuters.
