The South Korean president is currently suspended from office.
Suspended South Korean President Jun Sok-yol defended the declaration of martial law after his arrest on Wednesday. TASR informs about it according to a report by the Jonhap agency.
“Martial law is an exercise of presidential powers to overcome a national crisis,” Jun wrote, adding that “martial law is not a crime.” He posted his letter on Facebook hours after being detained in connection with an investigation into the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law.
The South Korean president is suspended from office. He claims that his impeachment was based on a story comparing the declaration of martial law to an insurrection, which he described as “truly absurd”. The impeachment, he says, is “fraudulent”.
The Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) began questioning him on Wednesday in connection with the declaration of martial law. Jun Sok-yol released a pre-recorded video after his arrest and announced that he would appear for questioning “to prevent any unfortunate bloodshed,” though he considers his investigation illegal.
However, Jun Sok-yol reportedly refused to testify in the morning local time and did not agree to the interrogation being recorded. According to the CIO representative, the questioning will continue in the afternoon local time. Jonhap writes that investigators have 48 hours to request the issuance of an arrest warrant.
The suspended president has denied the legality of the CIO investigation, pointing out that the agency is not technically authorized to investigate allegations of insurgency. He said he plans to appear before the Constitutional Court, which decides whether he will be dismissed or reinstated.
The Constitutional Court has 180 days to do so from the receipt of the request on December 14. If confirmed, Jun Sok-yol will be removed from office and an early presidential election must be held within 60 days.
