The investigation after South Korea’s president abruptly declared a state of military emergency last week is growing ever larger. Last night, the police searched the presidential office, the premises of the national police and the police in the capital region, as well as the National Assembly’s security department. This is written by the South Korean news agency Yonhap and Reuters. People protest against the impeachment process against President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Tuesday. Photo: Lee Jin-man / AP / NTB Ex-minister tried to take his own life President Yoon is being investigated by both the police and the Office for the Investigation of Corruption Among Senior Officials (CIO). The CIO will arrest and detain the President. – We are conducting a thorough investigation, and we will go through the basis for an arrest, CIO chief Oh Dong-won said in a meeting in the National Assembly, according to Yonhap. A policeman outside South Korea’s National Assembly. Photo: Lee Jin-man / AP / NTB Several other people are also being investigated in connection with the case. Among them is the former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, who was arrested on Sunday morning. He has tried to take his own life in custody, but is now under observation and out of danger. A representative of the Ministry of Justice told the National Assembly. More arrests On the night of Wednesday Norwegian time, South Korea’s national police chief Cho Ji-ho was also arrested and charged with rebellion. He is accused of having used the police to deny elected representatives access to the National Assembly. Cho Ji-ho, the chief of South Korea’s national police, addresses the National Assembly on December 9. Photo: Ryu Hyung-seok / AP The chief of the capital police was also arrested, writes the AP news agency. It came as a shock to many when Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of military emergency on Tuesday last week. The president said it was because of a threat linked to North Korea, which was quickly refuted. New impeachment vote This was the first time in 40 years that a state of military emergency was introduced. Soldiers were sent out into the streets of the capital, Seoul. All political activity was banned, including in the National Assembly. The press was subject to strict censorship. People inside South Korea’s National Assembly barricade the doors. Photo: YONHAP / Reuters Soldiers have gathered outside. Photo: JUNG YEON-JE / AFP Soldiers and civilians bark together outside the National Assembly. Photo: JUNG YEON-JE / AFP There are large demonstrations outside the National Assembly. Photo: Soo-hyeon Kim / Reuters Several people demonstrate outside the National Assembly. Photo: ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP The state of emergency was lifted after just a few hours. At the weekend, the opposition tried to impeach Yoon. It did not lead, but now the opposition has put forward a new proposal. This will be voted on in the National Assembly on Saturday, parliamentarian Jo Seung-lae told AFP. President Yoon is also being investigated for attempted sedition. He has also been banned from travelling. Interested in abroad? Listen to the foreign affairs editor’s podcast: Published 11.12.2024, at 04.44 Updated 11.12.2024, at 13.06
ttn-69
