South Korean police conducted a search of the office belonging to President Yoon Suk Yeol, as confirmed by a presidential security official, amid an escalating investigation into the troubled leader’s unsuccessful efforts to impose martial law.
In a separate development, Kim Yong-hyun, the former defence minister and a close advisor to Mr. Yoon, attempted to take his own life at a detention facility where he is being held following his arrest, according to a Justice Ministry official who reported at a parliamentary hearing.
A spokesperson from the presidential security service verified to Reuters that police had indeed launched a raid on Mr. Yoon’s office.
The national police agency did not immediately provide confirmation regarding the search operation. The Yonhap news agency reported that investigators presented a search warrant naming Mr. Yoon as the focal point of the inquiry.
During the raid, Mr. Yoon was not present at the presidential office complex, as reported by Yonhap. His official residence is located separately, and he has not made a public appearance since he issued an apology last week for his attempt to declare martial law.
Earlier today, the national police chief was arrested, adding to the number of high-ranking officials detained due to the martial law declaration, according to Yonhap.
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo participated in a plenary session that included a question-and-answer segment related to the declaration of martial law.
Mr. Yoon is currently under a criminal investigation for insurrection charges and has been prohibited from leaving the country; however, he has not faced arrest or interrogation by authorities.
The leadership crisis has intensified, raising questions about who is effectively managing the country, while the principal opposition party prepares to initiate a second impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday.
Some members of the president’s People Power Party (PPP) have voiced support for the impeachment motion, which had previously failed in a vote on December 7.
“The impeachment train has left the platform. There is going to be no way to stop it,” remarked DP leader Lee Jae-myung at the onset of a party meeting.
The initial impeachment vote held last Saturday did not succeed as the majority of PPP members chose to boycott the session.
National Police Commissioner Cho Ji-ho has been arrested on insurrection charges, as reported by Yonhap. Mr. Cho allegedly ordered police to prevent politicians from accessing parliament following Mr. Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3.
In the wake of Mr. Yoon’s unexpected late-night announcement, several politicians, including some from his own party, ignored the security perimeter around parliament and voted to demand the immediate retraction of martial law, which Mr. Yoon complied with a few hours later.
Demonstrators participate in a rally against the South Korean president.
Following his televised apology, Mr. Yoon has not been observed in public. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon stated that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would oversee state matters while the party seeks a method for the president to resign in an “orderly” fashion.
This approach’s constitutional validity has been challenged by opposition parties and various legal experts.
When asked about who is currently running the country, Mr. Yoon’s office stated that they held “no official position” on the matter.
Kwak Jong-geun, the commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, informed a parliamentary committee that Mr. Yoon ordered him to deploy troops to parliament on December 3 to “break down the door” and “drag out” politicians.
Mr. Yoon’s former defence minister, Mr. Kim, has also been accused by military officials of giving the same directive.
A parliamentary session is planned to introduce a bill aimed at impeaching Mr. Yoon. To pass, the bill requires a two-thirds majority from the opposition-controlled unicameral assembly, followed by deliberation from the Constitutional Court to determine whether the president should be removed from office.
The country’s metal workers’ union, including employees from Kia Corp, has organized a protest strike for today. Members from financial institutions, including the Bank of Korea, are expected to participate in a protest rally.
