S. Korean President Yoon hit with travel ban amid martial law probe

SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Justice Ministry announced on Monday (December 9), less than a week after plunging the country into chaos by briefly imposing martial law.

Yoon sent special forces and helicopters to Parliament on the night of December 3 before lawmakers forced him to rescind the order by rejecting his decree.

The extremely unpopular leader narrowly survived an impeachment motion in Parliament on Saturday even as huge crowds braved freezing temperatures to demand his ouster.

However, although he remained in power, numerous investigations closed in on Yoon and his close allies, including an investigation into alleged treason.

The Justice Department confirmed Monday that Yoon had become the first sitting South Korean president to be barred from leaving the country.

During a parliamentary hearing on Monday, a lawmaker was asked whether Yoon had been banned from leaving the country. “Yes, that’s true,” replied Bae Sang-up, commissioner of immigration services at the ministry.

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun – currently in detention – and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min are also subject to a travel ban due to their role in last week’s events.

Gen. Park An-su, the officer in charge of the martial law operation, and defense counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyung are also barred from leaving the country.

Investigators took Park for further questioning on Monday.