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South Korea arrests ex-defense minister over martial law

December 8, 2024

South Korea's former defense minister has been arrested for his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law decree, one day after Yoon survived an impeachment vote. Police also raided his home.

https://p.dw.com/p/4nsd1
South Korea's former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun during a news conference in Washington D.C.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was seen as a key figure in South Korea's brief martial law decreeImage: Celal Gunes/Anadolu/picture alliance

South Korean police arrested former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Sunday for his alleged role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's attempt to impose martial law, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Kim was considered a key figure in Tuesday's short-lived martial law decree. He had already resigned as defense minister.

Police have launched an investigation into Kim, as well as Yoon and martial law commander Park An-su, for alleged insurrection.

Police also raided Kim's home and placed him under a travel ban, Yonhap reported. 

South Korean lawmakers fail to impeach embattled president

Bid to impeach Yoon fails

Yoon, who had declared martial law on Tuesday night and reversed the decision hours later, survived an impeachment vote in parliament late Saturday.

The motion needed the approval of at least two-thirds of the 300-seat South Korean National Assembly to pass.

But it failed after Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote. 

The PPP claimed after the vote that it had blocked the motion to avoid "severe division and chaos."

The ruling party added that it would "resolve this crisis in a more orderly and responsible manner."

Meanwhile, the opposition said it would not give up its attempt to impeach Yoon.

ess/zc (AFP, Reuters)