South Korean President's Office Raided Amid Crisis Over Failed Martial Law, Ex-Minister Kim's Suicide Attempt

Dec 11, 2024, 11:25 AM

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing a deepening political crisis after his brief and failed attempt to impose martial law last week, declared on December 3 and quickly revoked by Parliament. Thousands of protesters have gathered outside South Korea's parliament, demanding President Yoon's impeachment and resignation. The South Korean police have raided the presidential office and the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters as part of an investigation into whether Yoon's declaration of martial law constituted insurrection. However, the presidential security service obstructed the police search of the presidential office. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is accused of assisting Yoon in the martial law declaration, attempted suicide in detention using a cord from his underwear but survived. The former police chief, Commissioner General Kim Bong-sik, has also been detained on similar charges. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has apologized for the martial law declaration. The opposition party is preparing to submit a second impeachment motion against President Yoon. North Korea has labeled South Korea a 'fascist dictatorship' amid the turmoil. The political unrest has raised concerns about the state of democracy in South Korea.