South Korea Justice Ministry orders travel ban for President Yoon

South Korea’s Justice Ministry imposed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol, a ministry official said Monday, following a request earlier in the day from the South Korean office that investigates high-ranking officials.

The move comes after police and prosecutors launched a probe into treason and other charges related to Yoon’s short-lived declaration of martial law last week, according to local media reports.

Yoon has been strongly criticized for his declaration of martial law, which lasted just six hours from late last Tuesday before it was rescinded.

Photo shows a banner calling for the arrest of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on Dec. 9, 2024. (Kyodo)

South Korea’s Constitution allows the president to declare martial law in the event of war or a serious emergency, but opposition parties, the public, and even members of Yoon’s own party have said his sudden action was unconstitutional and undemocratic.

Opposition parties submitted a motion to impeach Yoon, but the motion was scrapped Saturday due to a lack of the required number of voters in parliament.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, said Sunday it will submit a motion again in parliament to impeach Yoon, aiming to hold a vote on the motion Saturday.

Prosecutors detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly suggested to Yoon that he declare martial law, on Sunday. Kim has been questioned on treason and other charges related to the declaration, and prosecutors are expected to seek a court warrant to formally arrest him, Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.

Related coverage:

S. Korea Pres. Yoon to step aside before resigning: party head

Japan wary South Korea turmoil may hurt improving bilateral ties

South Korea president escapes impeachment over martial law turmoil