The South Korean Ministry of Justice has imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol amid investigations into charges of rebellion and other allegations related to his brief declaration of martial law last week.
Last Tuesday, President Yoon’s martial law order, which saw Special Forces deployed in Seoul, plunged the nation into political chaos and raised concerns among its key diplomatic partners and neighbours. On Saturday, Yoon narrowly avoided an impeachment attempt led by opposition parties, as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted the parliamentary vote. However, opposition parties have vowed to introduce a new impeachment motion against him this week.
Bae Sang-up, an official from the Justice Ministry, announced at a parliamentary hearing that the travel ban was enacted following requests from police, prosecutors, and an anti-corruption agency, as they broaden their investigations into the circumstances surrounding Yoon’s declaration of martial law.
A senior officer from the National Police Agency indicated during a background briefing on Monday that police could detain Yoon if certain conditions are met, according to the Associated Press.
Although a sitting South Korean president is immune from prosecution while in office, this immunity does not cover allegations of rebellion or treason. Consequently, Yoon can be questioned and detained by the police over his martial law decree. However, many observers are sceptical that the police will forcefully detain him or search his office due to the potential for conflict with his presidential security team.
This situation echoes the case of former President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached and removed from office in 2017 over a corruption scandal. Prosecutors could not search her office and had to receive documents outside the compound as presidential officials turned them away. After the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment, Park was questioned by prosecutors and subsequently arrested.
The main opposition Democratic Party has condemned Yoon’s imposition of martial law as an “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup” and has filed complaints against Yoon and at least nine others, including his former defence minister, with the police.
On Sunday, South Korean prosecutors detained former Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who is alleged to have advised Yoon to declare martial law. This makes Kim the first person detained in connection with the martial law case.
The Defence Ministry suspended three senior military commanders last week over their alleged involvement in the imposition of martial law. These commanders are also among those accused by the opposition of rebellion.
On Saturday, President Yoon apologised for the martial law decree, stating he would not avoid legal or political responsibility and would leave it to his party to navigate the political turmoil, including issues related to his term in office.
Since assuming office in 2022 for a single five-year term, the conservative Yoon has been in almost constant conflict with his liberal rivals who control parliament. The liberals have introduced numerous motions to impeach some of his top officials and have launched a fierce political campaign against Yoon over several scandals involving him and his wife.
Experts suggest Yoon’s party fears losing the presidency to the liberals in a by-election if he is impeached and removed from office, as occurred after Park was ousted.
On Sunday, PPP leader Han Dong-hun stated that the party would seek Yoon’s early and orderly exit from office to minimise social confusion, without specifying a timeline. He also said Yoon would not be involved in state affairs, including foreign policy.
Critics argue that Han is likely trying to buy time to restore public confidence in the party. His comments about sidelining Yoon from state affairs have sparked widespread concern and criticism, with some saying it violates the constitution.
During a Monday briefing, the Defence Ministry affirmed that Yoon maintains control of the military, a power explicitly reserved for the president by the constitution.
Frances Ibiefo
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