South Korea arrests former defense minister over failed martial law attempt
Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned earlier this week, is seen as central to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief martial law declaration
South Korean prosecutors have arrested ex-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Tuesday, local media has reported.
Kim, who offered his resignation on Wednesday, was seen as a central figure in Tuesday’s brief martial law declaration. A senior military official and filings to impeach Yoon by opposition members said Kim had made the proposal to Yoon.
Yoon survived an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, but the leader of his own party said the president would eventually have to step down.
The prosecution’s special investigative team has questioned Kim, who voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office at about 1.30 am on Sunday, the national news wire Yonhap reported. The office was not immediately available for comments.
Three minority opposition parties filed a complaint with the prosecution against Yoon, Kim and martial law commander Park An-su, accusing them of treason.
Kim faces a travel ban as prosecutors investigate, Yonhap said. The news wire later reported that police had also raided Kim’s official residence and office.
Later on Sunday, South Korea’s interior minister resigned, local media reported. Lee Sang-min said he was stepping down “in grave recognition of responsibility for failing to serve the public and the president well”, according to the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper.
Lee and Yoon are among those being investigated for alleged insurrection following the declaration of martial law. The national police are also investigating claims of treason against Yoon and other top ministers.
Yoon shocked the nation on Tuesday night when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called “anti-state forces” and obstructionist political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later, after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote unanimously against the decree.
Yoon’s martial law declaration plunged South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a key US military ally, into its greatest political crisis in decades, threatening to shatter the country’s reputation as a democratic success story.
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