SEOUL, Dec. 9 (UPI) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was barred from leaving the country Monday as investigations for treason and abuse of power over his short-lived martial law decree get underway.
Justice Ministry official Bae Sang-up told a parliamentary hearing on Monday afternoon that Yoon was prohibited from foreign travel.
“Yes, we did,” Bae said when asked by a lawmaker if his office had approved a departure ban. A short time earlier, the government’s Corruption Investigation Office had submitted a request for the order.
South Korea’s National Police have also formed their own treason investigation team, with Yoon and ten other individuals listed as suspects related to the declaration of martial law.
Woo Jong-soo, head of the police’s special investigation team, said at a press briefing Monday morning that Yoon would not be exempt from the probe as president.
“There are no human or material restrictions to the subject of an investigation,” Woo said. “We will conduct a strict investigation based on law and principles.”
On Sunday, police arrested former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly proposed the martial law plan and resigned soon after it ended.
Yoon shocked the nation when he declared martial law in a televised address late Tuesday night. Lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly to overturn the decree within hours, despite the deployment of nearly 300 soldiers to the building.
The embattled president survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, as all but three members of his ruling People Party Power walked out and left the parliament short of the necessary quorum.
Despite the reprieve, Yoon is facing enormous pressure to step down amid public outrage that has led to massive rallies and demonstrations.
Yoon’s own People Power Party said Sunday it will sideline the president from foreign and domestic affairs until his resignation, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo taking over government affairs.
“The prime minister will consult closely with the party before the president leaves office to ensure that the people’s livelihood and national affairs are not disrupted,” PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said in a public address. “Even before he leaves office, the president will not get involved in state affairs, including foreign affairs.”
The opposition Democratic Party called the plan unconstitutional and a “second coup,” however.
“On what basis do chairman Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo take over the authority to run the government?” party spokesman Cho Seung-rae said at a press conference Monday. “Is there any basis in the Constitution and the law for an unelected person, a mere leader of a political party, to be arbitrarily entrusted with the sovereignty of the people?”
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has called for Yoon to step down immediately and announced plans to hold another impeachment vote on Saturday.
In the meantime, Yoon maintains command of the military, a Defense Ministry spokesperson said Monday.
“Legally, (the control of military forces) currently is in the hands of the commander in chief,” spokesman Jeon Ha-kyou said at a press briefing when asked whether an insurrection suspect could still control the armed forces.
He added that there was no change in the president’s power to declare martial law under wartime circumstances.
Yoon made a brief public apology on Saturday before the impeachment vote, his first remarks since rescinding the martial law order on Wednesday.
“I am sincerely sorry and apologize to the people who must have been very surprised,” Yoon said in the two-minute televised address.
He said he imposed martial law due to “desperation” as president but pledged not to make another attempt.
“For the rest of my term, I will entrust my power to our (ruling) party to stabilize the political situation, ” Yoon said. “Our party and the government will together take responsibility for future state affairs.”