South Korean police raided President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office on Wednesday as investigations intensified into his controversial declaration of martial law.
Authorities also revealed that former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun attempted suicide shortly before his formal arrest over the events of December 3, when troops and helicopters were deployed to parliament in an apparent, but unsuccessful, bid to block lawmakers from overturning Yoon’s martial law declaration.
The deeply unpopular president is already under a travel ban as part of an “insurrection” investigation targeting his inner circle.
On Wednesday, a special police unit raided several key institutions, including the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service. No further details were provided in a statement.
Former Defense Minister Kim, who was first detained on Sunday, attempted suicide late Tuesday, just hours before his formal arrest. Authorities reported that he was in good health on Wednesday. Kim faces charges of “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights.”
Through his lawyers, Kim accepted full responsibility for the situation, stating that his subordinates “were merely following my orders.” He, along with the former interior minister and a senior general involved in the martial law operation, had been barred from leaving the country.
South Korean police also arrested National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho and Seoul Metropolitan Police Chief Kim Bong-sik early Wednesday.
North Korea Responds
North Korean state media weighed in on the turmoil, describing it as “chaos” in the South. A commentary accused Yoon of using martial law to impose a “fascist dictatorship” and of attempting to quell domestic dissent under the pretext of combating threats from the North.
Yoon defended his martial law declaration as a measure to protect South Korea from “North Korea’s communist forces” and to curb “anti-state elements plundering people’s freedom and happiness.”
Relations between the Koreas remain tense, with the North continuing missile launches in defiance of UN sanctions. Former Minister Kim was also accused of ordering provocative drone missions over Pyongyang and pushing for strikes on North Korean balloon-launch sites, actions reportedly refused by his subordinates.
Mounting Domestic Pressure
Yoon narrowly survived an impeachment motion in parliament last Saturday, even as tens of thousands protested in freezing weather to demand his resignation. Smaller protests have continued nightly, with polls showing record-low public support for the president.
On Tuesday, a special task force within Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) proposed a plan for him to step down by March, with fresh elections in April or May. However, the proposal has yet to gain full party approval.
The opposition is expected to push for another impeachment vote this Saturday, needing just eight PPP lawmakers to reach the required two-thirds majority. Last week, two PPP legislators supported impeachment, and two more announced their intent to vote in favor.
