South Korea’s parliament has approved a special counsel to investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol over his controversial declaration of martial law, a move that lasted only six hours but has triggered treason charges and a political crisis.
South Korea’s lawmakers have passed a bill to investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3, which was imposed and lifted within hours. The move, widely criticised as unconstitutional, has caused turmoil in the country’s political landscape.
The special counsel bill, supported by 210 lawmakers, seeks to uncover the circumstances surrounding the decision. President Yoon and several senior officials now face treason charges and are under a travel ban.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and intelligence officials have been summoned for questioning, while former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, already detained on treason charges, skipped a court hearing on Tuesday.
The opposition bloc, which failed to impeach Yoon last week, is planning another vote. Reports suggest ruling party members are considering Yoon’s resignation by April, a move that could trigger early elections.
Yoon, elected in 2022, was set to serve a five-year term ending in 2027, but the ongoing political crisis has cast doubt on his future.
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