President Yoon Defies Corruption Investigation Office Summons, Attends Christmas Service at Residence

After the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has remained silent since the vote, reportedly attended a Christmas Eve service at the official presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, with his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee.

According to sources within South Korea’s ruling party, the presidential couple held the service on the afternoon of Tuesday, with a pastor and church members from a local church in Seoul in attendance. Around 10 individuals, including the pastor, church elders, and congregants, were said to have participated in the private service.

Yoon Changes Plans for Yeongam Church Visit Amid Political Tensions

Initially, Yoon had planned to attend a Christmas service at Yeongam Church in Seongbuk-gu, a district in northern Seoul. However, in light of the political unrest following the impeachment motion’s passage, he opted to hold the service at the official residence instead.

Yeongam Church is personally significant to Yoon, as he attended elementary and middle school there. In 2022, during his first year in office, Yoon visited the church for a Christmas service.

On October 29, 2023, Yoon visited Yeongam Church to lead a memorial service for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy on the disaster’s first anniversary.

Since the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion on December 14, Yoon has been secluded at his Hannam-dong residence. He is believed to be preparing his defense strategy for the impeachment trial and ongoing investigations into charges related to insurrection.

On Wednesday, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) requested that Yoon appear at their office in the Gwacheon Government Complex for questioning. However, Yoon did not comply with the summons.

This is not the first time Yoon has ignored a summons. He also failed to appear on December 18 when the CIO first requested his presence.