The president of South Korea, Yoon Suk-yeolis scheduled to appear before the Constitutional Court to present his testimony in the trial that will determine whether his dismissal, approved by Parliament on December 14, will be definitive.
As reported this Sunday by his lawyer, Yun Gap-geunYoon could attend the first hearing of the process, scheduled for next January 16.
Yoon’s dismissal is linked to his controversial declaration of martial law on December 3, a measure that generated serious accusations against him, including insurrectiona crime that in South Korea can be punished with life sentence or even the death penaltyalthough the latter has not been applied in the country for almost 40 years due to a moratorium.
According to South Korean law, Yoon must attend the ordinary views of the impeachment trial, which will be held on January 14, 16, 21 and 23, as well as February 4. However, If you do not appear on two consecutive occasions, the court has the power to continue the procedure in your absence.
As the impeachment trial continues, Yoon refused to cooperate with the criminal investigation against him, led by the anti-corruption office. He did not attend any of the summons to testify and his legal team requested the annulment of the judicial arrest warrant issued against him, arguing that only the Prosecutor’s Office is authorized to request the arrest of a president in cases of insurrection.
Last Friday, agents of the Presidential Security Service (PSS) They blocked an attempt by the anti-corruption bureau to enter Yoon’s Seoul residence to execute the arrest warrant, leading to a standoff that lasted several hours.
If arrested, investigators would have 48 hours to interrogate the president and, if they consider it necessary, they could request an extension of their detention. Meanwhile, Yoon was banned from leaving the country.
Yoon was impeached by the South Korean Parliament on December 14 and is currently suspended from his duties as head of state. He Constitutional Court He must decide before June of this year whether to ratify his dismissal or restore him to office.
In contrast to his refusal to cooperate in the criminal investigation, Yoon expressed his willingness to collaborate in the impeachment trial before the country’s highest judicial body.
“The president plans to appear at an appropriate date and explain his position”said his lawyer, who left open the possibility that Yoon participate in the first session of the trial.
(With information from EFE)
