President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the deletion of a public curfew in an initial draft of the martial law decree issued earlier this month, a lawyer for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun claimed Thursday.

Ex-Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun is likely to be the first to face indictment on the accusation of being a central figure in President Yoon's surprise martial law declaration on Dec. 3.

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.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on Saturday over his Dec. 3 martial law decree.

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.

President-elect Donald Trump plans to launch a mass deportation operation targeting millions of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally and with temporary protections once he takes office on Jan. 20, a challenging initiative that could split apart families and affect U.S. businesses.

Korea faces increasing political instability as President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial unfolds, raising concerns about leadership uncertainty and the country's ability to navigate ongoing economic challenges.

President Yoon Suk Yeol's political future hangs in the balance as the Constitutional Court deliberates on his impeachment trial over his short-lived martial law declaration, raising concerns over a leadership vacuum amid economic and security challenges.

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.