Police Raid on South Korean Presidential Office and Failed Suicide Attempt of Defense Minister

Police forces raided the office of President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday morning, December 21, as part of investigations into the president's failed attempt to declare martial law. According to Yonhap, the official news agency of South Korea, the search warrant specifically mentions Mr. Yoon. At the time of the police's entry into the presidential office, Mr. Yoon was not present. Since his televised apology for the martial law declaration last Saturday, Yoon Suk-yeol has not been seen in public. Although the South Korean president has been banned from leaving the country, no interrogation or arrest warrant has been issued against him. In another development, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is in custody for allegedly recommending the declaration of martial law, also attempted to take his own life. This was confirmed by a South Korean Justice Ministry official during a parliamentary committee hearing. Shin Young-hae stated in parliament that Mr. Kim had attempted suicide using his underwear, but he is currently under observation and is not in danger. In the early hours of Wednesday, National Police Chief Cho Ji-ho was also arrested on charges of collaborating in the failed martial law declaration. Yonhap reported that he is accused of deploying police forces in front of the parliament to prevent representatives from entering the building. The leader of the ruling People Power Party had previously emphasized the need to limit the president's powers, stating that during the transitional period to find a way for Yoon Suk-yeol's 'peaceful resignation,' Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would take control of the country's affairs. However, opposition parties and some legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of such an action. Meanwhile, with increasing uncertainties and questions about the country's governance, opposition parties are attempting to put a new impeachment bill for the president to a vote. The parliament scheduled a special session on Wednesday to vote on the second impeachment bill on Saturday, December 24, at 10:30 AM Tehran time. The approval of this bill requires a positive vote from at least two-thirds of the representatives, which is 200 members. Some representatives from the ruling People Power Party have indicated their support for this action. To pass the impeachment bill, at least eight of the 108 representatives from this party in parliament must vote in favor. In the previous vote on the first impeachment bill last Saturday, most representatives from this party refused to attend the session. As rapid developments in recent days have plunged the fourth-largest economy in Asia and a key ally of Washington into a serious political crisis, the Korean Metal Workers' Union, including workers from the giant automaker Kia, went on strike on Wednesday. Employees of financial institutions such as the central bank have also announced their decision to join the protests.