South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol is in trouble as the law enforcement agencies raided his office under insurrection charges linked to his imposition of martial law, on Wednesday.
South Korean police conducted this raid to investigate the motive behind the president’s declaration of martial law. Police also started investigation from high-ranking police and military officials who were allegedly involved in the December 3 martial law declaration.
According to a statement from the presidential office, security forces carried out a raid in the office while the president was not present at the time. Notably, Yoon is ordered to remain out of the public eye since issuing an apology for the martial law declaration.
Former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, involved in insurrection is also detained by South Korean police. Kim Yong attempted suicide while in custody, reportedly.
Forces has also detained national police chief Cho Ji-ho under insurrection charges. He is accused of deploying officers to prevent lawmakers from accessing parliament during the martial law declaration.
While Yoon has been barred from leaving the country and remains under investigation, he has not yet been formally questioned or arrested. In the interim, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is expected to oversee government operations, as the ruling People Power Party (PPP) explores ways for Yoon to step down.
To deliberate on an impeachment bill, parliament will reconvene on Wednesday. This bill would require a two-thirds majority in the opposition-dominated assembly to pass.
Meanwhile, labor unions, including Kia Corp.’s metalworkers, have announced plans for protests in solidarity with the ongoing political crisis.
South Korean President Declares Martial Law
Earlier, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, stressing that the decision was essential to maintain the nation’s constitutional integrity.
Speaking on YTN, Yoon explained that opposition parties were holding the legislative process hostage, which he claimed was pushing the country into a state of turmoil.
“I am forced to declare martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the looming threat posed by North Korean communist forces, to dismantle the harmful pro-North Korean factions undermining our freedoms, and to preserve our constitutional order,” Yoon stated during his address.
Although he did not elaborate on the specific actions to be implemented, Yoon referenced a recent move by the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament.
The party had proposed the impeachment of several top prosecutors and rejected the government’s budget plan earlier this week.
