South Korean police have raided the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of an expanding investigation into his controversial attempt to impose martial law.
A presidential security official confirmed the raid on Wednesday, which marks a significant escalation in the inquiry involving Yoon and senior police and military officials following the Dec. 3 martial law declaration that triggered a constitutional crisis in the country.
While Yoon was not present at the presidential office during the raid, the action has intensified scrutiny of his leadership. He has not made a public appearance since apologizing for the martial law attempt on Saturday.
In a separate incident, Kim Yong-hyun, the former defense minister and a close associate of Yoon, reportedly attempted suicide while detained. He was discovered by guards using his underwear to harm himself, according to the Justice Ministry. Kim has been arrested on insurrection charges and has resigned from his position.
The national police chief, Cho Ji-ho, was also arrested on Wednesday, facing similar insurrection charges for allegedly deploying police to block lawmakers from entering parliament during the martial law declaration. Following the declaration, legislators, including some from Yoon’s party, voted to rescind the martial law, which Yoon acknowledged just hours later.
The escalating leadership crisis has raised concerns about who is effectively governing the country. The main opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP), is set to hold another impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, following a failed attempt last week. DP leader Lee Jae-myung stated, “The impeachment train has left the platform. There is going to be no way to stop it.”
Yoon is currently under investigation and has been banned from leaving the country, but he has not yet been arrested or questioned formally. As the political turmoil deepens, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is expected to manage state affairs while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) seeks a way for Yoon to resign.
Parliament is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to discuss introducing a bill for Yoon’s impeachment, which would require a two-thirds majority in the opposition-controlled assembly to pass. Meanwhile, labor unions, including metal workers at Kia Corp, have announced protests in solidarity with the political upheaval.
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