In the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recent and controversial attempt to impose martial law, South Korean authorities have expanded their travel restrictions to include additional high-ranking officials. This development follows the imposition of a travel ban on President Yoon himself, as his political party formulates a “resignation roadmap” that could potentially lead to his stepping down by February or March, paving the way for new elections.
The crisis began when President Yoon suspended civilian governance and deployed special forces to the National Assembly. However, lawmakers swiftly countered this move, compelling him to revoke the martial law decree in a nation long regarded as a stable democracy. Investigations are currently underway, focusing on the president and his close associates—many of whom share educational backgrounds with him—on allegations of insurrection related to these unprecedented actions.
On Tuesday, travel bans were extended to include Cho Ji-ho, Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, along with two other senior police officials, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. Previously, restrictions had been placed on the former defense and interior ministers, as well as General Park An-su, the martial law commander, and Yeo In-hyung, the defense counterintelligence commander.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was detained on Sunday, and prosecutors have since filed a formal arrest warrant against him, citing charges such as “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights.” A Seoul court is scheduled to hold a hearing to determine whether to issue the warrant for Kim, marking the first judicial decision related to the martial law turmoil.
In a statement conveyed through his legal representatives, Kim accepted full responsibility for the situation, expressing deep remorse to the South Korean populace and emphasizing that his subordinates were merely executing his directives.
President Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment in a parliamentary vote on Saturday, amid mass protests demanding his removal from office. The impeachment motion failed after members of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) exited the parliamentary session, thereby preventing the attainment of the required two-thirds majority. In return, Yoon has reportedly agreed to transfer authority to the prime minister and party leader, a move the opposition has denounced as a “second coup.”
Local media outlets have indicated that the PPP is preparing to unveil a “resignation roadmap” to preempt a renewed impeachment effort, which the opposition aims to present to lawmakers on Saturday. The party’s task force is reportedly evaluating two scenarios: Yoon resigning in February with elections in April, or stepping down in March followed by a vote in May.
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