The lawyers for a former South Korean defence minister under investigation on insurrection charges said on Thursday a short-lived martial law decree imposed earlier this month was to raise alarm on opposition parties' abuse of the democratic process.

South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol did not respond on Wednesday to a second summons by anti-corruption authorities who, along with prosecutors, are investigating his short-lived martial law decree issued early this month.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol again declined to appear for questioning by investigators over his martial law declaration as the embattled leader seeks to first defend himself at an impeachment trial.

Impeached President said he will “never give up” and called for officials to maintain stability in government functions during what he described as a “temporary” pause of his presidency.

South Korea’s main opposition party has submitted a motion to impeach the country’s acting leader over his reluctance to fill three Constitutional Court vacancies ahead of the court’s review of rebell

South Korean police have questioned Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo as part of an investigation into the short-lived decision this month to impose martial law, an official at his office said on Friday.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his decision to declare martial law in a televised address Thursday, claiming he did it to save democracy and vowing that he will "fight to the end."

By Joyce Lee SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's Constitutional Court will hold its first hearing on Friday in the case of President Yoon Suk Yeol, after parliament impeached him over his short-lived martial law decree on Dec.

South Korea's main opposition party threatened on Monday to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo if he failed to approve legislation to launch a special counsel investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed bid to impose martial law.

South Korea’s main opposition party said Tuesday it will seek to impeach acting leader Han Duck-soo after he missed an opposition-set deadline to approve independent investigations into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife.

South Korean investigators are pressing ahead with their probe into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration