South Korea's President Yoon forbidden to leave the country by justice ministry

South Korea's embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has been subjected to a travel ban pending an insurrection probe following his shock imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

The ban was imposed by South Korea's justice ministry after the country's Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) filed a request, Korean media reported.

Yoon has been registered as a suspect in an investigation by South Korean prosecutors and police, and faces charges of treason and abuse of power, Korea Times reported.

Survived impeachment motion

Yoon survived an impeachment motion filed by opposition parties, which was put to the vote on Dec. 7.

Police estimated that around 149,000 protesters showed up outside Seoul's National Assembly that afternoon to call for Yoon's arrest and impeachment, Yonhap reported.

For Yoon to be impeached, eight party members from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) had to vote for it.

However, only three of the party stayed to vote, with the rest having walked out.

This meant that a quorum was not achieved and a vote could not be taken in the first place.

Party divided over Yoon's resignation

Yoon has publicly apologised to the nation for the political chaos caused by his declaration of martial law.

"I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked," Yoon said in his brief televised speech, BBC reported.

"Regarding the declaration of martial law, I will not avoid any legal or political responsibility."

In light of his apology, Yoon's party leader, Han Dong Hoon has said that it has become inevitable for Yoon to step down, Yonhap reported.

The party remains divided over the timeline and process of Yoon’s resignation, Korea Times reported.

South Korea's defence ministry said on Dec. 9 that Yoon still maintains control of the military, a power reserved for the president under the constitution, AP News reported.

Opposition leaders previously vowed to submit a second impeachment motion as early as Dec. 11.

Yoon's five-year term as president officially ends in May 2027.

Background

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared "emergency martial law" on Dec. 3, 2024 in a surprise televised briefing.

Yoon had said that it was intended to protect the country from "North Korean communist forces", and to eliminate "anti-state elements", reported the BBC.

It was the first time martial law had been declared since 1980.

The law was in effect for a total of six hours before Yoon lifted it early on Dec. 4, following the National Assembly's unanimous vote of all 190 of 300 assembly members present.

Top image from Yoon Suk Yeol/Facebook & @c007back/TikTok