South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the justice ministry announced on Monday. This development comes less than a week after Yoon’s decision to impose martial law plunged the country into chaos.
Yoon’s brief but tumultuous declaration of martial law on December 3 led to special forces and helicopters being deployed to parliament. Lawmakers ultimately forced him to rescind the order by rejecting his decree.
Despite surviving an impeachment motion in parliament on Saturday, Yoon’s troubles are far from over. A slew of investigations is closing in on him and his close allies, including allegations of insurrection.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Yoon is the first sitting South Korean president to be banned from leaving the country. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, ex-Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, General Park An-su, and defense counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyung are also under travel bans.
The impeachment push failed to pass after members of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) walked out of parliament, depriving it of the necessary two-thirds majority. The PPP claims that Yoon has agreed to hand power to the prime minister and party chief, prompting widespread criticism from the opposition.
Key Reactions:
- Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae condemned Yoon’s actions as “an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup.”
- Constitutional law professor Kim Hae-won stated that there is no constitutional basis for Yoon to remain in office while delegating powers to unelected party officials.
The defense ministry confirmed that Yoon remains at the head of the country’s security apparatus, despite the apparent power vacuum. Yoon has apologized for the anxiety and inconvenience caused by his declaration of martial law but has not stepped down.
