South Korea’s Ministry of Justice announced on Monday that President Yoon Suk Yeol has been barred from leaving the country. The travel ban comes less than a week after the nation was thrown into turmoil following Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law, a decision that sparked widespread outrage and political upheaval.
The controversy erupted on the night of December 3, when Yoon deployed special forces and helicopters to parliament in an attempt to assert control. Lawmakers swiftly rejected his decree, forcing him to rescind the martial law order. The dramatic chain of events culminated in an impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday, which he narrowly survived. However, the president’s political standing remains precarious, with mounting public protests and ongoing investigations into his actions.
Tens of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets over the weekend, braving freezing temperatures to demand Yoon’s resignation. Despite retaining his office for now, Yoon is under intense scrutiny, facing allegations of insurrection and potential abuses of power. Legal inquiries have also extended to his close allies, further tightening the net around the embattled president.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed Yoon’s travel ban, marking the first time in South Korean history that a sitting president has faced such restrictions. In addition to Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, currently in detention, and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min are also prohibited from leaving the country due to their roles in last week’s events.
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