Continued Clash Between Rival Factions in South Korea

The clash between rival factions in South Korea continued on Christmas Day (Wednesday) over the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo.

Park Sung-jun, the deputy leader of the opposition Democratic Party, stated in a local radio program that his party would propose the impeachment of Han if he fails to appoint the three candidates for the Constitutional Court judges’ positions immediately, even after the proposals are passed in a plenary session on Thursday, according to KBS World Radio on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, the ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol refused to summon a joint investigation team to interrogate him about his declaration of martial law, which was short-lived, marking the second time he had refused to comply with the team’s request, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Yoon did not appear before the investigation body for corruption cases involving high-ranking officials in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, as requested by 10:00 AM local time as part of a joint investigation into his declaration of martial law on December 3rd.

Yoon faces charges of being a leader of the insurrection and abusing power by declaring martial law during the joint investigation.

He did not comply with the first summons issued by the investigative body last Wednesday.

The court has set December 27 as the date to begin impeachment proceedings. It is unclear whether Yoon will attend the hearing in person.

Yoon described his political opponents as “anti-state forces,” saying he declared martial law to protect the nation.