القضاء الكوري الجنوبي يجبر الرئيس المعزول على المثول أمام الادعاء

The South Korean judiciary forced former President Yoon Suk-yeol to appear before the public prosecutor after he refused to leave his cell for an investigation related to his imposition of martial law.

The local news agency "Yonhap" announced today (Friday) that the Seoul Central District Court approved the request of Prosecutor Min Jung-ki, who is leading the investigation against the former president, to compel him to attend the interrogation.

Spokesperson for the special prosecution team, Oh Jung-hye, stated that Yoon lay on the floor of his cell and refused to leave for questioning, confirming that investigators would attempt to bring him in again, even by force.

Yonhap reported that the prosecution team said Yoon was only wearing a shirt and underwear when prosecutors came to his cell.

For its part, the defense team for the former president considered the announcement of what he was wearing in a confined space, where temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius, a public insult to the dignity of the ousted president, and demonstrated how human rights of prisoners are violated. His lawyers attributed his absence to a deterioration in his health.

The ousted president is being tried for rebellion, which carries a penalty of death or life imprisonment. He also faces a series of investigations into scandals surrounding his wife, former First Lady Kim Kyun-hee, amid allegations that the couple inappropriately influenced elections.

Yoon has denied committing any violations, and his lawyers accused the prosecution of targeting him for political reasons.

Yoon was removed from office after declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, and was arrested last January, with his release decided on March 7 after his appeal was accepted.

A second arrest warrant was issued against him on July 9, leading to his detention the following day at a detention center in the capital, Seoul.

Yoon declared martial law with the aim of "eliminating pro-North Korean forces and preserving freedom and constitutional order in the country," accusing the opposition of being involved in anti-state activities. Following the announcement, the parliament issued a statement, after an emergency session, declaring the cancellation of martial law following a vote by the deputies.