South Korea police raid Yoon’s office over martial law attempt | Global News Avenue

South Korean police raided the Blue House office in Seoul after President Yun Seok-yeol tried unsuccessfully to impose martial law last week.

The raids are the latest development in a tumultuous week for South Korean politics.

President Yoon has remained in office despite an impeachment vote and repeated calls for him to step down, and is currently facing multiple investigations across the government for charges of insurrection and treason.

Meanwhile, the country’s former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was responsible for declaring martial law, attempted suicide in detention on Tuesday night, an official said.

South Korea’s health ministry told parliament that Kim Jong-un is currently in a detention cell and has “no current health problems.”

He was arrested on Sunday.

Many officials close to Yin also resigned during the brief period of martial law.

The country is currently in political turmoil.

Ruling party lawmakers boycotted a vote to impeach the president after Yoon agreed to shorten his term and stay out of foreign and domestic affairs.

However, the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, criticized the deal, with chamber leader Park Chan-dae calling it “an illegal and unconstitutional second rebellion and a second coup.”

It’s unclear what power, if any, Yin now has, and protesters are still calling for him to step down in the streets.

Eighteen investigators were sent to the Blue House on Wednesday to seize records related to a Cabinet meeting held on the night martial law was declared, local media reported.

President Yoon, one of the suspects listed on the search warrant, was not in the office when the search took place.

Yet experts say it’s a sign authorities are increasing pressure on the president and his allies.

Mason Richey, an associate professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, told the BBC that “the raid means that investigations are picking up pace, including the investigation into Yoon.”

“Given what we know now, Yoon will likely be impeached sooner or later. Either before or after that, he could face arrest, trial, and ultimately charges of insurrection.”

However, Professor Rich added that “the situation remains fluid”.

The last time the president’s office was raided was in December 2019 after the former deputy mayor of Busan was accused of corruption. Prosecutors did not enter the office at the time, but according to protocol, the office submitted materials to prosecutors.

At the time, the country was led by former President Moon Jae-in, who only took office in 2022.

Additional reporting by Tessa Huang