Prosecutors seek new warrant to question Yoon

SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors requested a fresh detention warrant on Wednesday to forcibly question former president Yoon Suk Yeol, after he refused to appear at his summons multiple times. Yoon plunged South Korea into a political crisis when he sought to subvert civilian rule on December 3, sending troops to parliament in a bid to prevent lawmakers voting down his declaration of martial law.

Prosecutors investigating allegations parliamentary election tampering summoned Yoon for questioning — but he failed to appear, with his lawyers citing health issues. “The special counsel office issued a second summons this morning for former president Yoon Suk Yeol to appear at 10 am, after he failed to show up the previous day,” prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee told reporters on Wednesday. “However, he again did not appear and provided no explanation. As a result, the special counsel formally requested a detention warrant for Yoon this afternoon,” Oh added.

Prosecutors are also investigating allegations that Jeon Seong-bae received a diamond necklace and a luxury designer handbag from a senior official of the Unification Church and passed them on to Kim. — AFP