South Korea Imposes Travel Ban On Its President As He Faces Insurrection Allegations

South Korea’s justice ministry imposed the travel ban after receiving a request from the country’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), Yonhap News Agency reported.

The head of the CIO, Oh Dong-woon, told lawmakers that his office is carrying out a thorough investigation—including searches and seizures—targeting Yoon and other alleged offenders on allegations related to treason and leading an insurrection.

Under Korean law, a sitting president is immune from criminal prosecution on all matters except leading an insurrection or acts of treason.

The Korean National Police Agency said Yoon was booked on Monday in separate cases being investigated by the police and the anti-corruption office on “charges of insurrection, mutiny and abuse of power.”

An official from the police agency told reporters they are prepared to arrest Yoon if needed.

Oh told lawmakers in the national assembly that the CIO was reviewing the possibility of requesting a travel ban against the country’s first lady Kim Keon Hee—who has also faced scrutiny over corruption allegations.