South Korean police on Thursday launched an investigation into President Yoon Suk-yeol for potential sedition following his declaration of a short-lived martial law which plunged the country into political chaos.
Yoon shocked the nation late Tuesday night when he declared emergency martial law before later lifting the order hours after lawmakers had rushed to the National Assembly building to unanimously vote down the decree. Yoon is now facing the prospect of impeachment.
Police are now investigating after the Rebuilding Korea Party and a group of activists filed complaints against Yoon and senior officials including the now former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, the Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo, and the Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min on suspicion of committing crimes.
The presidential office said Thursday that President Yoon had accepted the resignation of Kim as defense minister, who offered to step down in a bid to take all responsibilities for the emergency martial law, apologizing to the people for causing concern and confusion.
Yoon is also facing impeachment, with the main liberal opposition Democratic Party and five other minor parties planning to vote on the motion against the president on Saturday, with the opposition calling the martial law declaration illegal and unconstitutional.
The president declared the emergency martial law in an unexpected late-night televised address on Tuesday, saying he had issued the order to "eradicate anti-state forces" and "uphold constitutional order." The shock move sparked protests around the National Assembly building in Seoul.
S Korean police launches investigation into President Yoon for potential sedition
