By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wedesday visited a hospital in central Seoul for medical treatment after he appeared at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, his lawyer said.
Yoon and his escort vehicles departed from the court at 4:42 p.m. and traveled to the Armed Forces Seoul Capital District Hospital.
The president Yoon returned to the Seoul Detention Centre at 9:09 p.m. where investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials are waiting to conduct further questioning.
Yoon’s lawyer Yun Gap-geun told reporters that “Yoon’s doctor recommended medical treatment a month ago, which could no longer be delayed, so he received it today,” gave no further details.
The justice ministry also confirmed Yoon’s trip to the hospital, noting the president had undergone a medical examination by the detention centre’s medical staff on the previous day, who recommended his visit to an external medical institution, media reported.
The ministry declined to provide further details of Yoon’s treatment, citing concerns over personal information.
Yoon Suk Yeol denied ordering troops to “drag out” lawmakers from the National Assembly after declaring martial law last month, during his first appearance at his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court.
Yoon was asked by acting court President Moon Hyung-bae whether he had instructed military commanders to remove lawmakers in order to prevent them from voting down his December 3 martial law decree.
Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on December 14 and remains suspended from duty while an investigation is underway into charges that he led an insurrection and abused his power through his declaration of martial law.
The Constitutional Court has 180 days from the date it received the case on December 14 to either uphold the impeachment and remove him from office or dismiss the impeachment and reinstates him.
South Korea will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days if Yoon is ousted.
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