Impeached South Korean President Yoon Resists Prosecutors’ Questioning in Unusual Protest
South Korea’s impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol staged an unusual act of defiance on Friday, lying on the floor of his prison cell in his underwear to resist attempts by prosecutors to bring him in for questioning over election tampering allegations.
Authorities had obtained a fresh arrest warrant on Thursday to compel Yoon’s appearance before investigators. But according to prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee, officers were “unable to do so due to his strong refusal”, as the ex-president physically resisted by lying flat on the ground and refusing to leave his cell.
Yoon, who was removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, has faced mounting legal trouble since his failed attempt to impose martial law last year.
In December 2024, Yoon ordered troops to storm parliament in an effort to block lawmakers from overturning his martial law declaration, a move that plunged South Korea into its worst political crisis in decades.
The dramatic episode triggered nationwide protests, constitutional proceedings, and ultimately his removal from office in April 2025.
The former leader now faces multiple charges, including insurrection and election tampering, under investigation by a special prosecution team appointed by his successor, President Lee Jae Myung.
For now, prosecutors say the standoff will continue until Yoon agrees to cooperate with questioning — or until further measures are taken to enforce compliance.
