In addition to the exit ban, South Korean police have also not ruled out questioning President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of an investigation into the illegality of the martial law declaration.
Woo Jong Soo, a senior police officer in charge of the investigation into the declaration of martial law in South Korea, said that initially, 120 members of the Security Investigation Division were assigned to review five reports related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3. As of December 8, there were about 150 people working in the investigation team led by him.
So far, the investigation team has “searched and seized the office, official residence and private home of former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun - the main suspect in this case,” said Mr. Woo Jong Soo.
Investigators are also questioning key witnesses, including the National Election Commission and the South Korean Defense Ministry, he added.
South Korean investigators will focus on proving the allegations through forensic analysis of seized items and analysis of call data. The investigation team recognizes the heavy responsibility and pledges to conduct a thorough investigation by "mobilizing all available resources in accordance with the law and principles," Woo Jong Soo explained.
South Korean prosecutors on December 8 launched a treason investigation into President Yoon Suk-yeol after declaring martial law last week. The investigation could take months or years.
If convicted, Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol could face life in prison or even the death penalty, according to the Straits Times.
Yonhap news agency said the plan to impose martial law was drawn up in November under the direction of the head of the South Korean military's counterintelligence unit.
Choo Mi-ae, a member of the Democratic Party, said on December 8 that her office had received documents showing that the counterintelligence unit had planned the operation under the direction of Lieutenant General Yeo In-hyung. Lieutenant General Yeo In-hyung is among three senior commanders who have been suspended and may be investigated for their involvement in the martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 3.
