South Korean Police Raid President’s Office Amid Martial Law Probe

AFP/APP

Seoul: South Korean police raided President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office on Wednesday as investigations into his controversial declaration of martial law intensify.

This marks a significant development in the ongoing probe, which involves allegations of insurrection following Yoon’s failed attempt to prevent a parliamentary vote against the martial law order.

The raid, carried out by a special investigation unit, targeted several locations, including the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service. However, no further details were provided by the authorities.

The situation took a dramatic turn earlier this week when former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who had been arrested in connection with the events surrounding the night of December 3, attempted to take his own life shortly before his formal arrest on Tuesday night.

Prison officials confirmed that Kim, who remains in good health, is facing serious charges, including “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights.”

Kim has since claimed full responsibility for the events, asserting that his subordinates were simply following orders. Meanwhile, he joins several other high-ranking officials, including the former interior minister and a general involved in the martial law operation, who are also under investigation.

In a related development, Cho Ji-ho, the commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, were arrested early Wednesday as part of the ongoing inquiry.

This marks a dramatic escalation in the investigation into Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration, which has already left a deep political rift in South Korea. The embattled president, facing mounting public discontent, is also under a travel ban as part of the larger insurrection probe involving his inner circle.