South Korean police raided the office of President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday, days after the declaration of martial law plunged the country into crisis.
According to news agency Yonhap, the purpose of the raid was to determine Yoon Suk-yeol’s role in declaring martial law in South Korea, and if his actions amounted to treason – a crime for which no president is immune and could even face death. punishment
South Korea’s special investigation unit of the police has raided the presidential office and other institutions.
Earlier in the day, South Korean Prime Minister Han Deok-soo said he would blame himself for failing to prevent the emergency martial law declared by the president last week, news agency Newsis reported.
Kim Yong Hyun, Yun’s former defense minister, was reportedly raided after he tried to commit suicide while in custody in Seoul. Kim was arrested last week and admitted to a detention center on Sunday, where he attempted suicide but survived. Officials said that his condition is currently stable.
Kim was arrested on Wednesday after a court in Seoul approved a warrant for his alleged role in the coup and abuse of power.
The opposition is seeking to impeach Yun
The raid on Yoon Suk-yeol’s office came hours before the main liberal opposition Democratic Party tabled a new motion to impeach the president after a declaration of martial law plunged South Korea into crisis. The first impeachment attempt moved to Saturday after the ruling party boycotted the vote.
After last week’s impeachment motion, the leader of Yun’s Conservative Party vowed to arrange his smooth exit from power, saying the party would coordinate with cabinet members on state affairs and that Yun would be removed from duty during the transition to early elections.
The country’s main law enforcement agencies are focused on finding out whether Yun and others involved in enforcing martial law committed the crime of rebellion. Several top ministers in Yun’s cabinet are under investigation for their role in deploying security forces to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting to lift the martial law decree.
with input from the AP