South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Banned from Travel Amid Investigation of Martial Law Edict

South Korean authorities have imposed a travel ban on the country’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is being investigated after he declared that “martial law” was in effect on Tuesday last week, according to the BBC.
Although he rescinded the measure just hours later, the declaration sparked widespread political unrest and public outcry, leading to protests demanding Yoon’s resignation or impeachment.
Yoon narrowly survived an impeachment motion over the weekend after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote. The PPP members cited an agreement with Yoon, under which the president would shorten his term and refrain from engaging in both domestic and foreign affairs, but retain responsibility over national defense. In return for that commitment, PPP members opposed the impeachment motion.
The opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, criticized the deal, calling it “illegal,” “unconstitutional,” and a “coup.”
Since the martial law order debacle, tens of thousands of South Koreans have protested, voicing their anger over Yoon’s actions. Although the impeachment motion failed, several key figures involved in the martial law declaration are now facing legal consequences.
Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly proposed the imposition of martial law to Yoon, was arrested after he resigned his post earlier in the week.
Travel bans have been imposed on him and other officials, including Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung and Army Chief of Staff Park An-su.
Several other officials, such as former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, have also resigned. Lee took responsibility for failing to serve both the public and the president effectively.
Senior aides in Yoon’s office, including his chief of staff, tendered their resignations en masse on Wednesday after the martial law order had been lifted.
PPP leader Han Dong-hoon stated that Yoon would no longer be involved in government affairs, including diplomacy, until his early resignation. In his absence, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would manage state affairs. However, the opposition has condemned this proposal, calling it unconstitutional.
Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae described it as “an illegal, unconstitutional second insurrection and a second coup.”
Representative Kim Min-seok from the Democratic Party also criticized the move, saying that PPP leader Han did not have the authority to make such decisions. He called the arrangement a violation of the constitution, because no one had given them the power to jointly exercise presidential authority.
Despite this, the Ministry of National Defence confirmed that President Yoon retains command of the armed forces. In the event of foreign policy incidents, including potential threats from North Korea, Yoon can still make executive decisions.
Political science professor Shin Yul noted that Yoon could regain full control at any time if he were to choose to do so.
In his first public appearance since the martial law declaration, Yoon apologized to the nation on Saturday, pledging not to impose such an order again. He expressed regret for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused.
Opposition parties, however, remain determined to impeach him. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung vowed to hold impeachment votes every Saturday until Yoon is removed from office, promising to return the country to normal by Christmas.