South Korean prosecutors arrested defense minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in President Yoon Suk Yeol declaration of martial law on Tuesday, local media reported.
Kim, who offered his resignation on Wednesday, was seen as a central figure in Tuesday’s brief martial law declaration. A senior military official and members of the opposition in the filing to prosecute Yoon said Kim Yoon made the request.
Yoon there had been a vote on impeachment in Parliament On Saturday, spurred by a brief attempt to impose martial law, the leader of his party said he would eventually be the president to step down.
The prosecution’s special investigation team questioned Kim, who voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central Prosecutors Office around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Yonhap national news reported. The office was not immediately available for comment.
Three opposing minority groups filed a complaint with the indictment against Yoon, Kim and martial law leader Park An-su, accusing them of treason.
Kim ban looks to travel prosecutors to investigate, Yonhap said. This wire later reported that the police had also fired Kim’s official residence and office.
The national authorities are also investigating the rights of majesty against Yoon and the top officials.
Yoon shocked the nation on Tuesday night when he gave riot police powers to root out what he called “anti-state forces” and political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later, after the military parliament and police forces failed to vote unanimously against the decree.
Yoon wrote a declaration of martial law South KoreaAsia’s fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. military confederate is embroiled in its biggest political crisis in decades, threatening to shatter the country’s reputation as a popular success story.