Police question S.Korea's acting President Han over martial law bid

ISTANBUL

South Korean police on Friday revealed it had questioned Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, currently serving as the nation’s acting president, over the failed martial attempt by suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.

A joint probe team by police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and the Defense Ministry are investigating Yoon and his officials over the botched martial law bid imposed by the president on the night of Dec. 3.

At least nine officials who attended a Cabinet meeting called by Yoon ahead of his surprise announcement were questioned by police, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Han had earlier told lawmakers he was against imposing martial law.

Yoon, 63, was impeached by parliament on Dec. 14 and remains suspended from office pending a trial by the Constitutional Court for a final verdict, making him South Korea’s first sitting president to face treason and insurrection charges.

Yoon has refused to allow police and prosecutors to question him and reportedly spurned notices from the top court.

While a Supreme Court prosecutor had launched a parallel probe into Yoon, it later transferred its investigations to a joint team led by the corruption office.

The joint team has again summoned Yoon for next Wednesday for questioning while the top court will hold the first hearing in his impeachment case on Friday.

He may also face arrest over treason and insurrection, charges his team denies.

Authorities have made several high-profile arrests including Yoon’s close aide and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun besides the army chief as well as two more military commanders.

The South Korean national police chief as well the Seoul police chief have also been arrested.

Earlier, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho had submitted himself to prosecutors but refused to respond to police questioning.