South Korean authorities have imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as prosecutors deliberate possible insurrection charges over his attempt to enforce martial law last week, according to CNN report.
On Monday, The Corruption Investigation Office confirmed of an overseas travel ban on Yoon Suk Yeol. Notably, the South Korean President survived an impeachment vote in an opposition-controlled parliament on Saturday. However, his political future appears uncertain.
Yoon’s party People Power Party (PPP), previously, called for his resignation and urged for suspending the president from duties to protect South Korea from “grave danger,” according to CNN report.
People of South Korea were left in shock when Yoon annouced martial law in a televised address on Tuesday last week. Following his announcement, protesters gathered outside demanding resignation of South Korea’s President.
Lawmakers pushed their way past troops stationed outside the National Assembly building and unanimously voted to block the decree, which the president was legally required to follow. The military emergency which was lasted for six hours, caused widespread anger across South Korea.
On Saturday, Yoon issued an apology to the nation in his first public statement since his attempt to impose martial law, acknowledging that he “caused anxiety and inconvenience” to people of South Korea.
In a two-minute address, he stated, “This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs.”
The decision by the police to impose an overseas travel ban on Yoon Suk Yeol comes as a commander of South Korea’s special forces apologised for ordering his troops to storm parliament last week after the declaration of martial law.
During a briefing on Monday, Col. Kim Hyun-tae, commander of South Korea’s 707 Special Task Force, refered to himself an “incompetent and irresponsible commander” when he ordered his troops to storm the National Assembly during Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law.
“I ordered the deployment to the National Assembly. As the on-site commander for the 197 troops involved, I was the first to arrive by a helicopter. I instructed them to seal the building, engage in physical confrontations at the front and rear gates, break windows, and enter the premises,” Kim stated, as per CNN report.
“If such orders had been given in combat, everyone would have died,” he further added. He referred these troops “the most tragic victims of this situation.”
He stated, “These troops are the most tragic victims of this situation. They are not guilty.Their only fault lies in following the orders of an incompetent commander. Please forgive them.”
He also criticized South Korea’s former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun for “exploiting” soldiers during the chaotic night. Kim requested for understanding and forgiveness for his soldiers, stating they were merely following his orders, as per CNN report.
He stated, “Right now, my troops are suffering immensely, and their families – wives and children – are watching this unfold in agony.”
He declared that he would accept full responsibility for his actions and face any legal consequences. Meanwhile, South Korea’s national police have been investigating former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and other senior officials on charges of alleged treason. On Sunday Presecutors arrested Kim Yong-hyun.