South Korea corruption investigation office imposes travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO) on Monday confirmed it had requested and secured a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his controversial martial law declaration last week.

CIO Chief Oh Dong-Woon announced during a parliamentary hearing that he instructed investigators to file the request, which the Justice Ministry approved shortly after. The travel ban, imposed at 3 p.m. Monday, marks the start of a multifaceted probe involving the police, prosecution, and CIO into Yoon’s sudden declaration of martial law on December 3.

The martial law order, declared in a televised address late last Tuesday, was overturned by the National Assembly, however, the fallout continues. According to local media, a large number of soldiers was deployed to the Assembly building during the brief period, raising alarm among lawmakers and the public.

Police have already issued an arrest warrant against Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly proposed the martial law plan, along with several other senior officials in Yoon’s administration. Emergency travel bans have also been imposed on key figures, including the former Ministers of Defense and Interior and the Army Chief of Staff.

Despite surviving an impeachment motion on Saturday due to a boycott by his ruling People Power Party, President Yoon has faced mounting public outrage, with mass protests demanding his resignation. The opposition Democratic Party plans to table another impeachment vote this week, accusing Yoon of violating the Constitution by imposing martial law under non-emergency conditions.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will oversee the situation, with the ruling party sidelining Yoon from domestic and foreign affairs. However, opposition critics have called this move unconstitutional, arguing that there is no legal basis for a political party leader to take control of the government.

In a televised apology on Saturday, Yoon expressed regret, pleading not to reimpose martial law and promising to focus on stabilizing the political situation for the remainder of his term.

The investigations have sparked political turmoil in South Korea, with calls for Yoon to step down growing louder amidst concerns about the rule of law and democratic stability in the nation.