South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly escaped impeachment this weekend, but his former Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, faces a much more precarious situation. Kim was arrested early Sunday morning in connection wiht the short-lived declaration of martial law that plunged the nation into chaos earlier this week.
According to South Korea’s national news agency, Yonhap, Kim was “arrested and placed in detention” by investigators probing the president’s controversial actions. Yonhap reports that Kim was identified as “one of the main architects” of the martial law declaration and that his cell phone was confiscated. After six hours of interrogation, his arrest was ordered.
Kim had already resigned following the unexpected declaration of a state of emergency late Tuesday. President Yoon was forced to revoke the martial law just six hours later amid intense pressure from Parliament and widespread public protests.
The former minister was also banned from leaving the country. Police have also announced the opening of an investigation into President Yoon himself for “rebellion.”
On Saturday evening, President Yoon survived an impeachment motion brought against him by lawmakers. His party, the People power Party (PPP), boycotted the vote, rendering it invalid due to a lack of the required quorum of 200 deputies. Only 195 lawmakers participated.
“We blocked the motion to avoid severe rift and chaos,” the PPP explained in a statement, adding that they would “resolve the crisis in a way that is more orderly and responsible.”
PPP leader Han Dong-hoon further stated that the party had secured a promise from President Yoon that he would resign. Untill his formal resignation,Yoon would be “largely excluded from office,” with the Prime Minister and the PPP assuming his responsibilities.
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