S KOREAN PRESIDENT YOON DEFIES SUMMONS, PROSECUTION TO ISSUE SECOND ORDER

SEOUL, Dec 15 (Bernama-Yonhap) -- South Korean Prosecutors have confirmed that President Yoon Suk Yeol failed to comply with a summons issued for Sunday, adding that a second summons will be sent shortly, Yonhap news agency reported.

The special prosecution team investigating Yoon's failed attempt to impose martial law stated that the initial summons was sent last Wednesday, requesting his appearance at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office at 10 am on Sunday.

However, Yoon did not attend.

Prosecutors plan to issue a second summons to Yoon on Monday, according to officials.

A prosecution official confirmed that the summons was delivered to Yoon's office, but declined to comment on whether Yoon had provided any explanation for his non-compliance.

Yoon is accused of abusing his authority to impose martial law for unconstitutional and unlawful purposes, including ordering military commanders to deploy troops to the National Assembly and detain key political figures.

Investigators are also examining whether Yoon orchestrated an insurrection. The suspended president is currently subject to a travel ban as part of the investigation.

Yoon was impeached in a parliamentary vote on Saturday, just 11 days after declaring martial law, which was promptly rejected by the National Assembly within hours of its announcement.

He remains suspended from his duties while the Constitutional Court deliberates on whether to reinstate him or remove him from office. In the interim, Prime Minister Han Duck Soo is serving as acting president.

Prosecutors and police are also interrogating military commanders in connection with the controversial martial law decree.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP