SOUTH KOREA’S EX-DEFENSE MINISTER ARRESTED OVER HIS ROLE IN BOTCHED MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION

Sun 08 December 2024:

South Korea’s former defense minister was taken into custody early Sunday for his role in last week’s martial law declaration, which plunged the country into a deepening political crisis.

Kim Yong-hyun had already resigned after the short-lived martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk-yeol, which was lifted within hours after parliament voted it down, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Kim had already faced a travel ban.

A police investigation has already been launched into Yoon and others for alleged insurrection.

The latest move came a day after Yoon survived an impeachment motion in parliament.

Six opposition parties submitted the motion, which required a threshold of 200 votes in the 300-member parliament to pass, but a near-total boycott by Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) saved the embattled president, although his political future is uncertain.

The opposition plans to propose another impeachment motion this week.

-Source: AA

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