The walls are closing in on embattled South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol as police investigate him for insurrection while observers say a US official’s criticism of the president’s short-lived martial law decree signals Washington will not tolerate its close ally’s destabilising actions on the Korean peninsula.
The mounting woes for Yoon come amid calls domestically for him to step down, while the opposition has also filed a motion to impeach him as soon as Saturday.
Yoon on Tuesday night declared martial law in the country, citing anti-state forces threatening democracy and an opposition camp in cahoots with arch-rival North Korea – claims analysts have cast doubts on.
Barely six hours later, the decree was overturned by lawmakers, followed by protests on the streets for Yoon to step down.
South Korea’s police on Thursday said they were investigating Yoon for “insurrection” – a crime that transcends presidential immunity and carries the death penalty upon conviction – after the opposition filed a complaint against him and other key figures over the botched martial law attempt.
The defence minister blamed for advising the short-lived move and ordering troops to the parliament has resigned.
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