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South Korean president rejects insurrection charges — agency

The president’s lawyers could not say if he will appear for questioning by prosecutors on December 21

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol South Korea Presidential Office via AP

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol

© South Korea Presidential Office via AP

SEOUL, December 17. /TASS/. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has been suspended from exercising his powers after the country’s parliament voted to impeach him, rejects insurrection charges but is ready to cooperate with the investigation, the Yonhap news agency reports, citing Yoon’s lawyers.

"The president will present his position clearly and fairly in court. We’re unsure if the impeachment hearings will be open to the public, but if they are, this is what the president intends to do," one of the lawyers said.

The prosecution and police suspect Yoon of insurrection. South Korean law permits the prosecution of an incumbent president on this charge. "The investigation into the insurrection case and the impeachment hearings are two separate matters; two different legal teams will be handling each," the lawyer stated.

The president’s lawyer could not confirm whether Yoon would attend questioning by prosecutors on December 21; the president did not appear for questioning on December 15. The lawyer emphasized that there were no legal grounds for the insurrection case, as the president had not attempted to seize power. According to the lawyer, there were no incidents during the recent short-term martial law that could be linked to insurrection.

On December 14, South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach Yoon over his decision to declare martial law, which was seen as a violation of the country’s constitution. The Constitutional Court now has to decide whether to uphold the impeachment motion or reinstate the president. Yoon has been suspended from office until the verdict is announced. In addition, South Korea’s police, anti-corruption agency, and prosecutors have launched investigations into the president based on suspicion of insurrection and abuse of power.

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