South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol lay on the floor of his cell on Friday and refused to comply with questioning, a spokesperson for a special prosecutor said, as investigations into alleged abuse of power and influence-peddling continue.
Yoon, who was removed from office in April by the Constitutional Court over his failed attempt to declare martial law, is being held at the Seoul Detention Centre while facing trial for insurrection and other charges.
Prosecutors from a special investigation team formed under new President Lee Jae Myung attempted to bring Yoon in for questioning regarding influence-peddling allegations involving him and his wife, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
"But the suspect stubbornly refused to do so, while lying on the ground, not dressed in a prison uniform," spokesperson Oh Jung-hee told a news briefing. She said prosecutors would try again, even by force if necessary.
Yoon was reportedly wearing only his undershirt and underwear when officials approached him, according to Yonhap News Agency, citing the special prosecution.
Yu Jeong-hwa, one of Yoon’s lawyers, criticised the comments on his attire. “Bringing up what he was wearing in a small space where the temperature was close to 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) was a public insult to his dignity and showed how the state was violating inmates' human rights,” Yu said..
The former president was returned to a solitary cell in July as prosecutors sought additional charges related to his December martial law declaration.
He is currently on trial for insurrection, a capital offence punishable by life imprisonment or death.
Yoon also faces multiple other investigations, including one into alleged inappropriate influence over elections involving him and his wife. Both have denied wrongdoing.
Yoon’s legal team has repeatedly cited health concerns to justify his refusal to appear for questioning. His lawyers said Thursday that he suffers from preexisting conditions, including one that could cause vision loss.
In a veiled reference to Yoon’s previous role as a top prosecutor, Oh said the public was watching closely.
“The suspect has consistently highlighted the importance of laws, principles, fairness, and common sense, and through this cas,e people are watching if the law applies equally to everyone,” she said.
Separately, investigators have requested that Kim Keon Hee appear for questioning on 6 August.
Her lawyers said she would cooperate with the investigation.
Israel launched fresh strikes on southern Lebanon early on Sunday, saying the attacks were in response to two Hezbollah drones targeting Israeli so...
U.S. forces have struck three Iranian oil tankers after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two Navy ships, according to U.S. Central Command. ...
Prescriptions for GLP-1 weight-loss medicines among U.S. children aged eight to 11 have increased more than 300-fold since 2019, highlighting both ...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, according to three senior Iranian sources. Washington is escalating pressure in hopes of securing concessions in future negotiations.
An Iranian tanker was hit by U.S. forces on Saturday near Iran's key oil export hub, Kharg Island, in the Gulf, the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported.
Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated the country, as rescuers continue searching for survivors.
Two Greek military pilots were killed on Saturday when an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air show at Tanagra air base, north of Athens, officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on efforts to end the Ukraine war.
U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told reporters on Saturday that there is no plan underway to force Palestinians out of Gaza, following Israel's government proposal on relocation plans for people in Gaza.
A Chinese national was pulled alive from a tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, authorities said, 10 days after a wall of ice, rock and mud tore through a Himalayan valley, killing more than 1,300 people and leaving more than 5,600 missing.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment