South Korean prosecutors have detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended the imposition of martial law to President Yoon Suk Yeol. This marks the first detention in connection with the case. The detention of ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun came after President Yoon narrowly avoided an impeachment bid in parliament. The main opposition Democratic Party plans to prepare a new impeachment motion against Yoon.
Kim Yong-hyun was taken into custody at a Seoul detention facility after an investigation by prosecutors. Reports indicate that Kim voluntarily appeared at a prosecutors' office, where he was detained. The investigation team on the martial law case, led by Senior prosecutor Park Se-hyun, aims to leave no suspicions.
Yoon accepted Kim's resignation offer after the opposition accused him of proposing martial law. The martial law enforcement led to troops encircling the National Assembly building, which was later overturned by a parliamentary vote. The Defense Ministry has suspended three top military commanders over their alleged involvement in the martial law imposition.
Yoon issued an apology for the martial law decree and expressed willingness to take responsibility. The declaration of martial law, the first in over 40 years in South Korea, has raised concerns among diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan.
The scrapping of Yoon's impeachment motion is expected to fuel protests calling for his ouster and deepen political turmoil in South Korea. The ruling People Power Party aims for Yoon's early exit from office to minimize confusion. The Democratic Party demands the immediate arrest of Yoon and others implicated in the case.
President Yoon's office accepted the resignation of Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, who also faced an impeachment motion over his role in the martial law enforcement. In a parliamentary hearing, Lee defended Yoon's actions, stating they were within constitutional processes and law.
