South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Faces Travel Ban Amid Martial Law Investigation

A travel prohibition has been enacted by South Korean authorities against President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently being investigated concerning his brief martial law declaration issued last Tuesday. President Yoon narrowly avoided an impeachment attempt over the weekend, as Members of Parliament (MPs) from his governing People Power Party (PPP) abstained from the vote. PPP members stated their decision to withhold support for the motion followed Yoon’s agreement to reduce his presidential term and to refrain from involvement in foreign and domestic matters. Nevertheless, the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, has condemned this arrangement. Its floor leader, Park Chan-dae, characterized it as “an illegal, unconstitutional second insurrection and a second coup”. Since Yoon’s brief martial law directive, tens of thousands of individuals have participated in protests, demanding his resignation or impeachment. Subsequently, notwithstanding the unsuccessful impeachment motion, several prominent individuals implicated in the martial law order have also faced repercussions. Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly suggested the martial law declaration to Yoon, was apprehended on Sunday. He had previously stepped down on Wednesday, offering an apology and stating his intention to assume “full responsibility”. Travel prohibitions have been imposed on Kim, Lee, Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung, and Army Chief of Staff Park An-su. Numerous other officials have relinquished their positions. Among these is former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who resigned on Sunday, citing his responsibility for “failing to serve the public and the president well”. Additionally, on Wednesday, senior advisors within Yoon’s office, including his chief of staff, submitted mass resignations mere hours after the martial law declaration was rescinded. During a public statement on Sunday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon announced that Yoon would cease involvement in foreign and domestic affairs pending his early resignation, noting that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would oversee government matters during this period. Party leader Han affirmed, “The President will not be involved in any state affairs including diplomacy before his exit.” Nevertheless, Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae characterized the proposed arrangement as “an illegal, unconstitutional second insurrection and a second coup”. Representative Kim Min-seok of the Democratic Party likewise criticized the proposal, asserting that “nobody gave” PPP leader Han the authority to make such determinations. He stated, as reported by The Korea Herald, “The prime minister and the ruling party’s announcement that they would jointly exercise the powers of the president, which no one has given them, is clearly unconstitutional.” The Ministry of National Defence confirmed during a Monday briefing that the president maintains command over the armed forces. This implies that, in the event of any foreign policy occurrences, including potential threats from North Korea, Yoon theoretically retains the capacity to make executive decisions. Political science professor Shin Yul of Myongji University informed The Korea Herald that “The president can take the lead again any time he changes his mind,” adding, “No one will be able to stop him, if Yoon insists.” On Saturday, Yoon issued an apology to the nation in his initial public appearance since the martial law declaration. He committed to not imposing another martial law order and expressed regret for the “anxiety and inconvenience” he had generated. Nevertheless, the opposition has maintained that they “will not give up” on impeaching Yoon and has pledged to conduct impeachment votes against him each Saturday. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung addressed a disheartened assembly following Saturday’s unsuccessful impeachment effort, stating, “We will definitely return this country to normal by Christmas and the end of the year and give it to you as a Christmas and end-of-year gift.” On Monday, he reiterated his call for Yoon’s resignation, informing a press conference that Yoon’s conduct was “destroying” South Korea and its economy.