Second summons for Yoon Suk Yeol as political crisis intensifies in South Korea

The joint investigation in South Korea has issued a second subpoena to President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear next week and give a statement regarding his short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3. Yoon rejection previously appear after an initial request submitted two days earlier.

As reported by Yonhap News Agency, if the president continues to ignore the subpoenas without valid justification, the Corruption Investigation Bureau for Senior Officials, part of the investigative team, could request a court order to detain him for up to 48 hours.

The declaration of martial law, which was only in effect for six hours before being overturned by a vote in the National Assembly, has led to intense legal and political review. Since Saturday, Yoon has been suspended from his presidential duties following the approval of an impeachment motion in parliament, presented by opposition parties that accuse him of not complying with the constitutional requirements to issue such a measure.

The investigative team, which includes the police, the Corruption Investigation Bureau and the Ministry of Defense, has requested that Yoon appear at the bureau’s headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, next Wednesday at 10 a.m., according to Yonhap reported. At the same time, prosecutors who were investigating the case separately have transferred jurisdiction over it to the anti-corruption office.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court, which has a period of 180 days from December 14 to decide whether to approve Yoon’s dismissal or restore him to office, has faced difficulties in providing the president with the documents necessary to start the process. According to a court spokeswoman, delivery attempts through postal mail, in-person courier and electronic means have failed due to a lack of cooperation from the presidential office.

This episode further aggravates the political crisis in South Korea, where Yoon’s declaration of martial law has been widely criticized as an undemocratic measure and has led to a climate of uncertainty about the future of his leadership.