South Korea’s Yoon focus of police ‘treason’ probe over martial law chaos
Al Jazeera
Complaints submitted with police accuse the president and other officials of ‘treason’ for declaring martial law.
Police in South Korea have opened an investigation into President Yoon Suk-yeol for alleged “treason” related to his brief declaration of martial law this week, according to reports.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday that a team at the National Police Agency has been assigned to investigate the president, while allegations of treason have also been made against the country’s recently resigned Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, as well as army chief of staff General Park An-su and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.
The four have been accused “of treason and other related charges for their roles in the declaration and subsequent lifting of martial law on Tuesday” night, the news agency reports.
One complaint for treason was filed against the president by a minor opposition party and a second was submitted by a group of 59 activists, Yonhap said.
Citing non-specific threats from “antistate forces” and obstructionist political opponents, President Yoon imposed martial law for about six hours late on Tuesday night before reversing course after parliament held a vote to oppose the move and people took to the streets in protest.
