South Korean prosecutors have detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged involvement in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief martial law declaration earlier this week. Kim, who resigned on Wednesday, was considered a key figure in the decision. Reports indicated that Kim proposed the controversial measure to Yoon.
Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment on Saturday, following his attempt to enforce martial law. However, the leader of Yoon’s own party stated that Yoon would eventually have to step down. According to Yonhap, Kim voluntarily reported to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office at approximately 1:30 am on Sunday for questioning. The office has yet to comment on the case.
The move prompted three opposition parties to file a complaint with prosecutors, alleging treason against Yoon, Kim, and martial law commander Park An-su.
Yonhap also reported that prosecutors imposed a travel ban on Kim as they continue their investigation. Police have conducted raids at Kim’s official residence and workplace. On the same day, South Korea’s interior minister, Lee Sang-min, resigned, acknowledging his failure to adequately serve the public and the president. Lee and Yoon are both being investigated for potential insurrection, and the national police are looking into treason claims involving Yoon and senior officials.
Yoon’s martial law declaration on Tuesday night empowered the military to tackle “anti-state forces” and political adversaries. The order was reversed six hours later after parliament, bypassing military and police barriers, voted unanimously against it.
This incident has thrown South Korea, an important U.S. ally and Asia’s fourth-largest economy, into one of its most significant political crises in decades, putting its democratic image at risk.
