Her Ministry of Justice South Korea imposed a travel ban today, Monday (09.12.24) on President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is being investigated for “sedition” after his attempt six days ago to impose martial law, an official announced.
During a hearing of a parliamentary committee looking into what happened during the attempted martial law, a lawmaker asked if South Korea’s president had been banned from leaving the country.
“Yes, it is accurate,” replied Bae Sang-up, an immigration official at the justice ministry.
At the same time, the opposition accuses the ruling party of carrying out a “second coup”, as it clings to power by refusing to consent to the suspension of the country’s president, after the fiasco of declaring martial law six days ago.
“No matter how they try to justify it (…) this is a second rebellion, a second coup, illegal and unconstitutional,” said Park Chan-de, head of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group.
The Party of Power to the People of Mr. Yun ensured that a motion to impeach the president submitted to Parliament was voted down on Saturday night by boycotting the vote. In the absence of a quorum, the proceedings were cancelled.
The president was confronted with this proposal as he, to everyone’s surprise, declared martial law on the night of Tuesday into Wednesday, a measure he was forced to cancel before six hours were up due to pressure from parliament and protesters.
After the failure of the attempt to terminate the president, his party reported that it “secured” from Mr. Jun his “promise” that he will retire, he will leave the governance to his party and the prime minister.
Yesterday the leader of Han Dong-hun assured that Mr. Yun “will not interfere in state affairs or foreign policy” before handing in his resignation.
The Democratic Party (official opposition) denounced the “clear violation” of the Constitution.
“Han Dong-hun and Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, who have no constitutional legitimacy, are trying to seize power, continuing the dangerous and illegal rebellion,” said Jen Hyun-hee, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party.
Han Dong-hun is “aligned with the crime of sedition and can no longer be the leader of the ruling party,” she continued, also calling the prime minister a “conspirator” who she said should “resign.”