South Korean police have opened an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial declaration of martial law earlier this week.
The six-hour decree, which suspended civilian rule and deployed military forces, was widely condemned as unconstitutional and led to political turmoil.
The opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, along with 59 activists, filed complaints alleging “insurrection,” prompting inquiries into Yoon and key officials, including Interior Minister Kim Seon Ho and former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun.
The martial law declaration was announced in a late-night televised address, citing unspecified security threats.
However, it was swiftly overturned after opposition lawmakers voted against it, with military leaders distancing themselves from the president’s actions.
General Park Ahn Soo, tasked with overseeing martial law, testified, “I found out about the martial law declaration watching Yoon’s press conference,” adding that the military had no prior knowledge of the plans.
The move has sparked calls for Yoon’s impeachment, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for Saturday.
Opposition leaders have described the incident as a shocking breach of constitutional rights.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae Myung expressed disbelief upon hearing the announcement, saying, “That’s a deepfake. It has to be a deepfake.
There’s no way that’s real.” The investigation aims to uncover the root of the crisis and ensure that such an extraordinary measure is not repeated, as South Korea grapples with the political fallout of its first martial law declaration in over 40 years.
