South Korean president could face death penalty

Yoon Suk Yeol accused of insurrection over failed martial law

- NAMITA SINGH

South Korean police have launched an investigation into president Yoon Suk Yeol over allegations of "insurrection" following his abrupt and short-lived declaration of martial law earlier this week.

The decree, which lasted six hours and plunged the country into political chaos, could have grave consequences for Mr Yoon as insurrection is a crime that bypasses presidential immunity and carries the death penalty.

The inquiry follows two complaints filed by the opposition Rebuilding Korea party and 59 activists, with prosecutors also launching an investigation against interior minister Kim Seon Ho and former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun for their roles in the crisis, according to Yonhap News Agency.

President Yoon declared martial law in an extraordinary latenight televised address on Tuesday, citing unnamed security threats.

The emergency measure suspended civilian rule, deployed soldiers and helicopters to the National Assembly, and triggered widespread shock. But the declaration of martial law, South Korea’s first in more than 40 years, was revoked within six hours after opposition lawmakers voted against it early on Wednesday morning. Opposition parties have condemned the move as a breach of the constitution and announced plans to impeach the president.

A parliamentary vote is scheduled for tomorrow evening, with Democratic Party spokesperson Jo Seoung Iae urging conservative lawmakers to reflect on what he described as an “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup”.

South Korea’s military leaders have distanced themselves from Mr Yoon’s actions. General Park Ahn Soo, the army chief tasked with overseeing martial law, told parliament yesterday that he had only learned of the declaration when the president announced it on live television, reported the Financial Times.