South Korean authorities imposed a travel ban on more senior officials Tuesday, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched attempt to impose martial law, Yonhap reported.
The day after Yoon himself was hit with a travel ban, his party began crafting a “resignation roadmap,” with reports suggesting Yoon could step down in February or March, ahead of fresh elections.
Yoon’s attempt to suspend civilian rule last week, including deploying special forces and helicopters to parliament, was met with swift resistance from lawmakers who forced him to rescind the decree. The events have raised concerns in a country long regarded as a stable democracy.
Investigations are underway into the president and a group of his allies—many from the same school—for alleged insurrection over the sequence of these extraordinary actions.
On Tuesday, Cho Ji-ho, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, along with two other senior police officials, were banned from leaving the country, according to Yonhap news agency. Former defense and interior ministers, martial law commander General Park An-su, and defense counterintelligence chief Yeo In-hyung are already under travel restrictions.
– All my fault –
Kim Yong-hyun, the former defense minister, was arrested on Sunday, and prosecutors filed a formal arrest warrant for him late Monday. He faces charges of “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights.”
A Seoul court is expected to rule Tuesday on whether to issue the warrant, marking the first court decision in the aftermath of the martial law crisis.
Kim, in a statement through his lawyers, took full responsibility for the situation, saying, “All responsibility for this situation lies solely with me.” He expressed deep apologies to the South Korean people, emphasizing that his subordinates were simply following his orders.
– ‘Second coup’ –
Yoon narrowly survived an impeachment attempt in parliament on Saturday, as tens of thousands of protesters braved freezing temperatures demanding his resignation. Civic groups organized candlelight vigils across the country on Monday, with several thousand gathering outside parliament in Seoul.
The impeachment motion failed after members of Yoon’s own People Power Party (PPP) walked out, depriving the opposition of the two-thirds majority required. In exchange for the PPP’s support, Yoon, 63, reportedly agreed to transfer power to the prime minister and the party chief, prompting accusations of a “second coup” from the opposition.
Local media on Tuesday reported that the PPP is preparing to announce a “resignation roadmap” to avoid a new impeachment motion, which the opposition intends to present to lawmakers on Saturday. The task force is reportedly considering two options: Yoon’s resignation in February with an April election or his stepping down in March with a vote in May.
AFP
