SKorea's Yoon fails to answer martial law questions

South Korea's President Yoon Suk-Yeol has failed to appear before law enforcement authorities for questioning over his botched attempt to impose martial law.

A joint investigation team, consisting of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and the defence ministry's investigation unit, sought Yoon's presence for questioning on Wednesday, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Attempts to deliver the summons to Yoon failed this week after his office refused to accept it or sent the mail back, the agency reported.

On Saturday, South Korea's parliament voted to impeach Yoon, almost two weeks following his botched attempt to institute martial law.

Prime Minister Han Duck Soo assumed presidential duties until the Constitutional Court takes the final decision on whether to confirm Yoon's impeachment or declare it unconstitutional.

The court has scheduled the start of the impeachment proceedings for December 27. It is unclear whether Yoon will appear in person at the hearing.

The opposition has accused Yoon of violating the constitution after his unexpected declaration of martial law on December 3.

The move shocked the nation but was rescinded just hours later following massive public resistance.

Yoon has labelled his political opponents "anti-state forces" and has said that he had declared martial law to protect the nation.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul says Yoon's short-lived bid to impose martial law limited communication with US President-elect Donald Trump's team and undercut both sides' political momentum.

At a rare joint news conference for foreign media, Cho and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok sought to reassure Seoul's allies and calm market jitters since the martial law attempt that shocked the nation and triggered the biggest political crisis in decades.

Cho said Seoul had built a network and communication channels with Trump's campaign that were "stronger than those of any other country", but the martial law order undermined "the political momentum" between the two sides.

"It is true that there have been some disruptions with communication over the past two weeks due to this situation," Cho said.

with reuters