South Korean authorities have imposed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is under investigation following his brief declaration of martial law last Tuesday.
Over the weekend, Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the parliamentary vote.
The PPP justified their decision by citing Yoon’s agreement to shorten his term and abstain from engaging in domestic and foreign affairs.
However, the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, strongly criticized the arrangement. Party floor leader Park Chan-dae labeled it “an illegal, unconstitutional second insurrection and a coup.”
The martial law declaration has sparked widespread public outcry, with tens of thousands of protesters demanding Yoon’s resignation or impeachment.
Although the impeachment motion failed, authorities have taken action against several key figures associated with the martial law order.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly proposed the declaration to Yoon, was arrested on Sunday after resigning earlier in the week, taking “full responsibility” for his actions.
Travel bans have also been imposed on Kim, Lee, Defense Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung, and Army Chief of Staff Park An-su.
A wave of resignations has followed, including that of former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who stepped down on Sunday, citing his failure to adequately serve the public and the president.
Senior aides in Yoon’s office, including his chief of staff, also submitted mass resignations shortly after the martial law declaration was rescinded.
Opposition calls PPP proposal a ‘second coup’
In a public address on Sunday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon announced that President Yoon Suk Yeol would refrain from participating in foreign and domestic affairs until his early resignation, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assuming responsibility for managing government affairs in the interim.
“The President will not be involved in any state affairs including diplomacy before his exit,” said party leader Han.
However, Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae described the proposed plan as “an illegal, unconstitutional second insurrection and a second coup”.
Representative Kim Min-seok of the Democratic Party similarly criticised the plan, saying “nobody gave” PPP leader Han the power to make such decisions.
“The prime minister and the ruling party’s announcement that they would jointly exercise the powers of the president, which no one has given them, is clearly unconstitutional,” he said, according to a report on The Korea Herald.
The Ministry of National Defence confirmed at a briefing on Monday that the president retains command of the armed forces. That means in the event of any foreign policy incidents, including any possible threat from North Korea, Yoon is still, in theory, able to make executive decisions.
“The president can take the lead again any time he changes his mind,” political science professor Shin Yul of Myongji University told The Korea Herald.
“No one will be able to stop him, if Yoon insists.”
On Saturday Yoon apologised to the nation in what was his first appearance since the martial law declaration. He pledged not to impose another martial law order, and apologised for the “anxiety and inconvenience” he had caused.
However, the opposition has insisted that they “will not give up” on impeaching Yoon and has vowed to hold impeachment votes against Yoon every Saturday.
“We will definitely return this country to normal by Christmas and the end of the year and give it to you as a Christmas and end-of-year gift,” Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung told a disappointed crowd after Saturday’s failed impeachment attempt.
On Monday, Han Dong-hoon reiterated his call for President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, stating during a press conference that Yoon’s actions were “devastating” South Korea and its economy.