South Korea: Police Raids Presidential Office, Ex-Minister Under Custody Attempts Suicide (image @InternetH0F)
Seoul, South Korea: As part of the investigation into South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration, police have raided the presidential office. At the same time, officials told parliament the country’s former defence chief attempted suicide while in custody. The dramatic developments unfolded after authorities earlier arrested former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and the heads of the national and Seoul metropolitan police agencies over their alleged involvement in Yoon’s martial decree, which lasted for mere hours.
Kim was stopped by the correctional officers and his condition is stable now, commissioner-general of the Korea Correctional Service, Shin Yong-hae, told lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing. Justice Minister Park Sung Jae confirmed Kim’s attempt during the same hearing, as per media report.
The defence chief was arrested on insurrection charges after Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant at the request of prosecutors. “We considered the degree to which the charges are supported, the gravity of the crime and concerns he will destroy evidence,” the court said while issuing the warrant, the state-funded Yonhap news agency reported.
Also Read: South Korea’s Ruling Party Calls For Suspension Of Yoon’s Power As Impeachment Vote Looms
Along with Kim, Cho Ji-ho, the commissioner-general of the Korean National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, were also arrested on insurrection charges. Both were detained without warrant and can be held for up to 48 hours before they are formally arrested.
The arrest came as the main opposition Democratic Party is preparing to make a second bid to impeach Yoon over his brief declaration of martial law, which has plunged South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy into its biggest political crisis in decades.
The first attempt to impeach Yoon by the opposition was failed as all but three members of Yoon’s People Power Party boycotted the vote at the 300-member National Assembly on Saturday. The boycott denied the impeachment the necessary two-thirds quorum.
If Yoon is to be impeached in the second attempt, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would temporarily assume presidential responsibilities. After that it is up to the Constitutional Court of Korea to decide on whether to confirm Yoon’s removal from office or restore his powers.
Also Read: South Korea: Why Yoon Suk Yeol Declared Martial Law, What Happens Next?
Yoon’s party has said that it has secured his agreement to stay out of state affairs and resign in an orderly manner in exchange for not supporting his impeachment. Opposition has likened agreement to a “second coup”.
The Seoul President cannot travel overseas, as he has been punished with travel ban by the prosecutors. He is also under criminal investigation for alleged treason.
