South Korea Imposes Travel Ban on President Yoon

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol was barred from leaving the country on Monday, the justice ministry announced, just days after a brief imposition of martial law plunged the nation into turmoil.

On the night of December 3, Yoon deployed special forces and helicopters to parliament, only to have lawmakers reject his decree and force him to rescind the order.

The deeply unpopular leader narrowly survived an impeachment motion in parliament on Saturday, despite massive protests in freezing weather demanding his removal from office.

The impeachment push failed to pass after members of Yoon’s own People Power Party (PPP) walked out of parliament, preventing the motion from securing the required two-thirds majority.

While Yoon remains in power, he faces mounting pressure from multiple investigations, including a probe into alleged insurrection involving him and his close allies.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed on Monday that President Yoon Suk Yeol is the first sitting South Korean president to be banned from leaving the country.

When asked at a parliamentary hearing whether Yoon had been banned from travel, Bae Sang-up, an immigration services commissioner at the ministry, confirmed, “Yes, that’s right.”

Also under travel bans due to their involvement in last week’s events are former defense minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who is currently in detention, and former interior minister Lee Sang-min.

General Park An-su, the officer responsible for the martial law operation, and Defense Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung are also banned from leaving the country.

On Monday, investigators brought Park in for further questioning.