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South Korea Investigates President for Alleged Treason Over Martial Law Declaration
South Korean police have initiated an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol for possible treason after his controversial brief declaration of martial law earlier this week. This measure, which lasted only a few hours, ignited widespread public outrage and calls for the president's resignation.
According to Yonhap news agency, a team from the National Police Agency has been tasked with investigating President Yoon, alongside other high-ranking officials, including recently resigned Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Army Chief of Staff General Park An-su, and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min. The allegations of treason are linked to two formal complaints filed by a minor opposition party and a group of 59 activists. The complaints center around the declaration of martial law on Tuesday night, when the president cited threats from "anti-state forces" and opposition politicians.
The accused are charged with treason and related offenses for their involvement in the martial law declaration and its subsequent lifting. On Tuesday evening, President Yoon delivered a live broadcast in which he announced the drastic measure, accusing the Democratic Party of attempting to undermine the country’s democracy and collaborating with North Korea to destabilize South Korea.
The martial law announcement included suspending political activities, imposing strict media controls, and banning strikes and work stoppages. Yoon justified these actions as necessary to protect the country’s “liberal democracy” from subversive forces threatening to overthrow the government.
In response, South Korean lawmakers convened an emergency session of the National Assembly and voted unanimously (190-0) to lift the martial law. This vote faced strong opposition from security and military forces, who attempted to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly building. Additionally, protests broke out nationwide, with demonstrators calling for Yoon's resignation or impeachment. Clashes between police and protesters continued throughout the night.
After an emergency cabinet meeting at 4:30 AM, President Yoon announced the lifting of martial law, and military personnel began withdrawing from the National Assembly. Despite the lifting of the measure, protests persisted, and the opposition remained determined to pursue impeachment proceedings, scheduled for Saturday.
