South Korea Police Investigate President Over Insurrection Allegations

South Korean police have initiated an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol over accusations of “insurrection” tied to his recent declaration of martial law earlier this week.

The six-hour decree triggered significant political turmoil across the nation.

The investigation stems from two complaints filed by the opposition Rebuilding Korea Party and 59 activists. Additionally, according to Yonhap News Agency, prosecutors are probing Interior Minister Kim Seon Ho and former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun for their involvement in the crisis.

President Yoon declared martial law in a rare late-night televised address on Tuesday, citing unspecified security threats.

The emergency measure temporarily suspended civilian governance, deployed soldiers and helicopters to the National Assembly, and left the nation in shock.

However, the martial law declaration—South Korea’s first in over 40 years—was rescinded within six hours after opposition lawmakers voted against it early Wednesday morning. Opposition parties have denounced the move as a constitutional violation and announced their intent to impeach the president.

A parliamentary vote is set for Saturday evening, with Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Seoung Iae calling on conservative lawmakers to consider what he described as an “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.”

South Korea’s military leaders have sought to distance themselves from President Yoon’s actions.

General Park Ahn Soo, the army chief responsible for implementing martial law, informed parliament on Thursday that he first learned of the declaration when it was announced by the president during a live televised address.

“I found out about the martial law declaration watching Yoon’s press conference,” General Park said, adding that the military’s role was directed by Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who has since resigned.

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho similarly stated that he was made aware of the president’s plans only after the public announcement.

“While we are military experts, we are not experts on martial law,” General Park said during his testimony.

Lee Jae Myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party and President Yoon’s main rival in the 2022 presidential election, expressed his shock and disbelief upon witnessing the announcement.

He said, “That night after I got off work, I was lying in bed with my wife … when she showed me a YouTube video and said, ‘The president is declaring martial law.’ I replied, ‘That’s a deepfake. It has to be a deepfake. There’s no way that’s real.’” He recalled being shocked when he realised the announcement was genuine.