S. Korea's Yoon Faces Treason Probe Over Martial Law Crisis

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Facts

  • South Korea's police launched an investigation on Thursday into whether Pres. Yoon Suk Yeol committed treason and insurrection following two complaints over his short-lived martial law declaration this week.[1][2]
  • The probe extends to other top officials, including army chief of staff Gen. Park An-su, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min,and the resigning Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. According to Yonhap, a travel ban has been issued on the latter.[3][4]
  • This comes as opposition lawmakers have scheduled an impeachment vote for Saturday evening. To pass, the motion needs at least eight members of Yoon's People Power Party to break ranks and vote with the opposition.[4][5]
  • The main opposition Democratic Party has also proposed a bill to appoint a permanent special counsel to carry out a separate investigation into the alleged acts of treason. Set to be voted on Saturday, the bill could be approved without the support of PPP lawmakers.[5][6]
  • Ahead of the impeachment vote in the National Assembly, rumors suggested that Yoon would host the leader of his party, Han Dong-hoon, on Friday. Han had earlier said that Yoon should be suspended from his post as soon as possible.[7][8]
  • In another development on Friday, acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho told a press conference that the military would refuse to comply with a new martial law declaration amid fears that Yoon could issue another such order.[9][10]

Sources: [1]Yonhap News Agency, [2]BBC News, [3]Al Jazeera, [4]Axios, [5]The Dong-a Ilbo, [6]Korea Herald (a), [7]Korea Herald (b), [8]Reuters, [9]Korea Herald (c) and [10]Wsj.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Koreatimes. Yoon clearly violated constitutional and legal requirements with acts that amount to insurrection and treason, such as deploying special forces to occupy the National Assembly and arrest opposition leaders. He failed to point to any constitutionally approved grounds for martial law, bypassed cabinet review, and failed to notify to the National Assembly, undermining democratic checks and balances in South Korea.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Koreajoongangdaily. While Pres. Yoon’s martial law declaration was a grave mistake, the deeper issue lies in South Korea’s polarized politics. The clash between an overpowered opposition and a fragile presidency reflects systemic flaws, including outdated electoral rules and power centralization. Without reform, such divisions will continue to destabilize the nation, regardless of who is in office.

Predictions