S. Korea's crisis deepens as prosecutors close in on Yoon, ex-minister

SEOUL - South Korea's leadership crisis deepened on Dec 8 as prosecutors named President Yoon Suk Yeol as a subject in a criminal investigation over his bid last week to impose martial law, his former defence minister was arrested, and his interior minister resigned.

Mr Park Se-hyun, head of the office leading the prosecution's investigation into last week's martial law turmoil, confirmed the news of the Yoon probe during a press briefing.

"We have received numerous complaints against President Yoon Suk Yeol, and we are conducting investigations accordingly. Procedurally, it is correct that a suspect is booked once a complaint or accusation is filed," said Mr Park.

Mr Yoon survived an impeachment vote in the opposition-led Parliament late on Dec 7, but the leader of his own party said the President would effectively be excluded from his duties before eventually stepping down.

That proposal, which appeared to win tacit approval from the Yoon-appointed prime minister on Dec 8, drew condemnation from opposition lawmakers, who said it was another unconstitutional power grab to delegate authority without resignation or impeachment.

Thousands of people rallied in front of Parliament in Seoul on Dec 8, calling for the impeachment and arrest of Mr Yoon and the disbandment of his ruling People Power Party (PPP).

Mr Yoon's martial law declaration plunged Asia's fourth-largest economy, which is also a key US military ally, into its greatest political crisis in decades, threatening to shatter South Korea's reputation as a democratic success story.

The leader of the PPP said on Dec 8 that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will manage the nation's affairs as the country deals with the fallout from the political crisis sparked by President Yoon's bungled attempt at imposing martial law.

The party will prepare an orderly exit plan for Mr Yoon, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said in a prepared statement after meeting the Prime Minister.

"The President will not be involved in any state affairs, including diplomacy, before his exit," Mr Han Dong-hoon said.