South Korean police are considering a travel ban on President Yoon Suk-yeol as they investigate allegations of possible rebellion after the president briefly declared martial law last week.
Yun’s martial law order, which brought South Korean troops into the streets of Seoul, plunged the country into political turmoil. The opposition-led coalition tabled an impeachment motion in parliament but it failed after most of the ruling party’s MPs boycotted the floor vote.
The opposition-led coalition has vowed to submit another impeachment motion against President Yun this week. According to the Yonhap news agency, police are considering banning Yun from traveling abroad to prevent him from leaving the country while the coup investigation is underway.
The main opposition Democratic Party called Yun’s imposition of martial law an “unconstitutional, illegal coup or coup”. It has filed a police complaint against Yun and nine others, including the former defense minister, over the alleged coup.
Under South Korean law, the president is immune from prosecution until he is in office, but this does not extend to cases of rebellion or treason.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned last week after martial law chaos, was arrested by South Korean prosecutors on Sunday. Kim was accused of recommending that President Yun impose martial law in the country.
The Defense Ministry said it had separately suspended three top military commanders for their alleged involvement in imposing martial law. Earlier, Yun apologized for the martial law decree, saying he would not abdicate legal or political responsibility for the announcement.