South Korean authorities try to look presidential workplace once more, Yonhap experiences By Reuters

By Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean authorities made one other try on Tuesday to look the presidential workplace and acquire proof as a part of an investigation into the legality of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived try and impose martial regulation, Yonhap information company reported.

Yoon was impeached on Saturday beneath his martial regulation decree and suspended from his presidential duties.

A joint investigation staff comprising the police and the Corruption Investigation Workplace (CIO) was trying to entry the pc servers of the presidential workplace’s safety division to acquire telephone information, together with the one utilized by the presidential workplace. police commissioner, Yonhap stated, citing the staff. .

It could be the second time that authorities have tried to look the presidential workplace following the declaration of martial regulation which was known as off hours after a standoff with Parliament. An try on Dec. 11 ended with no entries, however the presidential workplace voluntarily submitted some information.

The police and the presidency didn’t instantly touch upon Tuesday. The IOC declined to remark.

Since his final public remarks shortly after his impeachment by Parliament in a vote on Saturday, Yoon has saved a low profile and authorities and the Constitutional Court docket have been unable to contact or summon him, in keeping with the courtroom and officers. accountable.

Yoon has assembled authorized groups to defend himself in opposition to fees of rebellion and earlier than the Constitutional Court docket which is able to determine whether or not he needs to be faraway from workplace or restored to his powers.

Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer and former prosecutor who helps Yoon, advised reporters on Tuesday that the president’s declaration of martial regulation didn’t represent an rebellion, Yonhap reported.

Yoon would additionally “categorical his place with confidence earlier than the (Constitutional) Court docket,” Seok was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

Seok declined to say whether or not Yoon would adjust to a summons for questioning on Dec. 21, and stated authorities wanted to streamline ongoing investigations being carried out concurrently by a number of businesses, together with the prosecution, police and the IOC, Yonhap reported .

Seok couldn’t instantly be reached for remark by Reuters.

In the meantime, South Korea’s Appearing President Han Duck-soo known as at a cupboard assembly on Tuesday for subsequent yr’s authorities finances to be shortly carried out from the beginning of 2025 so as to assist revive the nation’s slowing economic system.

Han has labored to reassure South Korea’s allies and calm monetary markets since taking up from Yoon after the president’s impeachment.

The federal government has determined to speed up the implementation of 75% of its 2025 finances through the first half of the yr, the Ministry of Finance stated in a press launch on Tuesday.

South Korea faces financial challenges, together with elevated uncertainty for the trade-dependent nation created by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to boost tariffs as export progress within the fourth Asia’s economic system slowed for a fourth consecutive month in November, at its weakest. degree in 14 months.