Seoul: Police are searching the offices of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol, the country’s Yonhap News Agency is reporting.
The search comes just hours after the country’s two highest-ranking police officers were detained to be investigated for their roles in enforcing Yoon’s short-lived martial law decree last week, police said on Wednesday.
South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol apologises for his actions at the presidential office in Seoul on Saturday.
South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol apologises for his actions at the presidential office in Seoul on Saturday.Credit: AP
The main liberal opposition Democratic Party will later on Wednesday submit a new motion to impeach Yoon as the country’s main law enforcement institutions expand their investigation into whether the president’s declaration amounted to rebellion. The first impeachment attempt failed on Saturday when the ruling party boycotted the vote. The Democratic Party said it aims to put the new motion to a vote this Saturday.
Yoon’s ill-conceived power grab has paralysed South Korean politics, frozen its foreign policy and rattled financial markets, greatly reducing his chances of completing his five-year term and casting a turbulent shadow over one of Asia’s most robust democracies.
After last week’s impeachment motion fell through, the leader of Yoon’s conservative party pledged to arrange his stable exit from power, saying the party will co-ordinate with cabinet members over state affairs and that Yoon will be sidelined from duties during a transition to an early election.
Participants gather to stage a rally demanding South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.
Participants gather to stage a rally demanding South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.Credit: AP
However, the plans have been widely criticised as unrealistic and unconstitutional. The constitution explicitly states that impeachment is the sole method for suspending presidential powers and that the authority to command the military rests solely with the president. The Defence Ministry said this week that Yoon remains in charge of the country’s military forces.
Earlier on Wednesday, Yoon’s former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun was arrested after a Seoul court approved a warrant for him on allegations of playing a key role in a rebellion and committing abuse of power. Kim became the first person arrested over the December 3 martial law decree.
More to come