South Korea’s Ministry of Justice announced on Monday, December 9, that President Yoon Suk Yeol has been prohibited from leaving the country. This decision follows a tumultuous week in which Yoon briefly declared martial law, throwing the nation into political turmoil.
On the night of December 3, Yoon deployed special forces and helicopters to the National Assembly. However, lawmakers swiftly nullified his order by rejecting the decree, forcing him to rescind the martial law declaration.
Despite surviving an impeachment motion in parliament on Saturday by a narrow margin, Yoon faces mounting public pressure, with large crowds braving freezing temperatures to demand his removal from office. Meanwhile, investigations into Yoon and his close associates are intensifying, including a probe into alleged insurrection.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Yoon is now the first sitting South Korean president to face a travel ban. Former defense officials involved in last week’s events have also been barred from leaving the country.