South Korea's Army chief General Park An-su (C) responded to lawmakers' inquiries during an emergency session of the parliamentary defence committee, which focused on President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration and lifting of martial law, held at the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday, according to AFP.
In the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law, South Korean authorities extended travel bans to more top officials on Tuesday. Following Yoon's own travel ban, his party was reportedly developing a 'resignation roadmap' that could lead to his resignation in February or March, ahead of new elections. Meanwhile, opposition parties plan to organize impeachment votes every Saturday. Yoon had suspended civilian rule a week prior, deploying special forces and helicopters to parliament, before lawmakers compelled him to revoke the decree in what is considered a stable democracy. Investigators are examining the president and his close allies, many of whom attended the same school, for alleged insurrection related to these unprecedented events.
On Tuesday, Cho Ji-ho, commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, and two other senior police officials were the latest to be restricted from leaving the country, police informed AFP. Already under travel bans are the former defence and interior ministers, as well as martial law commander General Park An-su, who, along with other top military officials, faced questioning by lawmakers on Tuesday. Yoon narrowly escaped impeachment in parliament on Saturday, as tens of thousands of protesters, undeterred by freezing temperatures, demanded his removal. The motion failed after members of Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of parliament, preventing the required two-thirds majority. The offices of ruling party lawmakers were reportedly being vandalized, with one image showing a door smeared with ketchup and eggs, and flour scattered on the floor. Protesters also sent condolence flowers to the offices, traditionally used for funerals, to express their opposition to the boycott, with signs reading 'insurrection accomplices'.
Local police in Seoul's Dobong district told AFP that an unspecified 'weapon' was discovered in front of PPP lawmaker Kim Jae-sub's residence, prompting him to request personal protection measures from the police. Kim Yong-hyun, the former defence minister, was detained on Sunday, and prosecutors filed a formal arrest warrant against him late Monday. Charges included 'engaging in critical duties during an insurrection' and 'abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights'. A Seoul court will hold a hearing later on Tuesday to decide on the warrant for Kim, marking the first court decision related to the martial law crisis. Kim issued a statement on Tuesday, taking full responsibility for the situation and deeply apologizing to the South Korean people, stating that his subordinates were 'merely following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties' through his lawyers.
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