Prosecutors question impeached PM in martial law probe
Impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, center, puts on a mask after speaking to lawmakers at a special parliamentary session into President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration at the National Assembly in Seoul, Jan. 15. Yonhap
Impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo underwent questioning by prosecutors earlier this week as part of their probe into the short-lived imposition of martial law last month, judicial sources said Wednesday.
Han appeared before the prosecution's special investigation team Tuesday as a suspect in the case, according to the sources.
Prosecutors reportedly focused their questioning on the circumstances surrounding the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, such as a Cabinet meeting held shortly before President Yoon Suk Yeol's announcement and whether Han himself proposed the declaration.
Under the law, martial law can be proposed to the president by the defense and interior ministers through the prime minister. It must also undergo a review by the Cabinet before it is declared.
Han has previously said the martial law declaration did not follow proper legal procedures, noting he did not propose its declaration and that a Cabinet review effectively did not take place.
Last week, Han told lawmakers he believed the martial law was "wrong" and "not normal," citing its "procedural flaws."
Han took over as acting president after Yoon's impeachment on Dec. 14, but he himself was impeached by the National Assembly less than two weeks later. (Yonhap)