Crisis Continues in the Fourth Largest Economy in Asia; South Korean President Banned from Leaving the Country

Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of South Korea, has been banned from leaving the country due to an unsuccessful declaration of martial law and the possibility of being charged with rebellion, facing impeachment and interrogation. According to Yonhap, South Korea's official news agency, Oh Dong-won, head of the Office of Senior Officials' Corruption Investigation, announced this during a parliamentary hearing on Monday, December 9. The South Korean President declared martial law 'to maintain order' and to address the political crisis arising from tensions with the opposition-controlled parliament, facing accusations of a coup from opposition parties, while this action has also raised international concerns and led to a decline in the national currency's value. Since taking office in 2022, the South Korean President has attempted to push his agenda against the opposition-controlled parliament. He has had severe conflicts with the Democratic Party, the parliamentary majority, over the approval of next year's budget and has recently rejected calls for independent investigations into allegations against his wife and senior officials. Yoon Suk-yeol has also stated that the parliament has weakened the government's functionality by cutting key budgets, exposing the public to security and drug crises. According to the South Korean Constitution, the incumbent President is generally immune from legal prosecution; however, this immunity does not cover charges such as rebellion and treason. Therefore, theoretically, it is possible for Yoon Suk-yeol to be interrogated or even arrested by the police due to the declaration of martial law. However, many observers doubt the police's ability to search the presidential offices and arrest him, and the possibility of conflict between the presidential guard and the police is not ruled out. With most members of the ruling People Power Party refusing to participate in the vote on the impeachment bill against Yoon Suk-yeol on Sunday, December 18, the current President of South Korea has narrowly avoided the first danger of being ousted from power; however, opposition parties have promised to prepare another impeachment bill this week. The Democratic Party, the largest opposition party, has filed complaints against nine individuals, including the President and the former Minister of Defense, arguing that the declaration of martial law by Mr. Yoon was 'unconstitutional, illegal, and possibly an attempt at a coup.' The South Korean prosecution arrested Kim Yong-hyun, the former Minister of Defense, on Sunday, who had apparently suggested the declaration of martial law to the President. Thus, he is the first person arrested in connection with this case. The Ministry of Defense also separately announced the suspension of three senior commanders for the same reason, while emphasizing that it still recognizes Yoon Suk-yeol as the legitimate commander of the military forces. One day prior, Yoon Suk-yeol officially apologized for declaring martial law, emphasizing that he would not evade political and legal responsibility for this action. Mr. Yoon stated that the decision on how to navigate the country’s political crisis, including the 'issue of remaining in the presidency,' rests with his party. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the ruling People Power Party, without specifying a timeline, emphasized that his party is working to facilitate Yoon Suk-yeol's calm and premature exit from the presidency. Mr. Han also claimed that the President would not have the right to interfere in national affairs, including foreign policy. This claim by Mr. Han has raised widespread concerns and criticisms, with critics arguing that legally preventing the President from intervening in national matters is unconstitutional. A group of critics has also accused Mr. Han of attempting to buy time to restore public trust in the ruling party. Seven years ago, when former President Park Geun-hye was impeached and removed from office by parliament following a widespread corruption scandal, prosecutors were unable to search the offices of the then-President due to obstruction by presidential officials and ultimately obtained some documents outside the presidential compound. Ms. Park, who had avoided meeting with prosecutors until the last day of her presidency, was ultimately interrogated and arrested after the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment.