South Korean authorities have imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as prosecutors consider possible insurrection charges over his failed attempt to impose martial law last week.
LEADERSHIP recalls that Yoon narrowly survived an impeachment motion against him over the weekend after MPs from his ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote.
PPP members said they had decided not to support the motion after Yoon agreed to shorten his term and not get involved in foreign and domestic affairs.
However, the opposition Democratic Party, which commands a majority in the parliament has criticised the deal, with floor leader Park Chan-dae calling it “an illegal, unconstitutional second insurrection and a second coup”.
Tens of thousands of people have come out in protest since Yoon’s short-lived martial law order, calling for him to resign or be impeached.
Since then, despite the failed impeachment motion, several key figures involved in the martial law order have also seen action taken against them.
Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly proposed the martial law declaration to Yoon, was arrested on Sunday. He had earlier resigned on Wednesday after apologising and saying he would take “full responsibility”.
Travel bans have been placed on Kim, Lee, Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung, and Army Chief of Staff, Park An-su.
On Saturday, Yoon earlier apologised to the nation in his first public comments since his abortive attempt to impose martial law, acknowledging that he “caused anxiety and inconvenience” to South Korean citizens.
“This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs,” Yoon said in a two-minute address.
The decision by the police to impose the travel ban on Yoon comes as a commander of South Korea’s special forces has apologised for ordering his troops to storm parliament last week after martial law was declared, saying he placed them in “grave danger.”
Commander of South Korea’s 707 Special Task Force, Col. Kim Hyun-tae described himself to reporters at a Monday briefing as an “incompetent and irresponsible commander” when he authorised troops to storm the National Assembly during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived imposition of martial law.
“I ordered the deployment to the National Assembly. As the on-site commander for the 197 troops involved, I was the first to arrive by a helicopter. I instructed them to seal the building, engage in physical confrontations at the front and rear gates, break windows, and enter the premises,” he said.
“If such orders had been given in combat, everyone would have died,” he added. “These troops are the most tragic victims of this situation. They are not guilty. Their only fault lies in following the orders of an incompetent commander. Please forgive them.”
Kim also blamed the country’s former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun for “exploiting” soldiers during the chaotic night.