Seoul: Agencies
The South Korean prosecution decided to form a special investigation unit to look into the treason charges against President Yoon Suk-yeol, after he declared martial law in the country.
The prosecution added - according to what the Korean Broadcasting Corporation (KBS) reported today, Friday - that this unit will be headed by the head of the Seoul Public Prosecution Office, "Park Se-hyun", but the number of people who will be selected for this unit has not yet been determined.
In 2016, the prosecution formed a special investigation unit to look into the influence-peddling scandal in which former President "Park Geun-hye" and her close friend "Choi Seo-won" were involved.. It included about 30 people.
The network indicated that it is clear that the prosecution decided to form the new unit after assessments that the imposition of martial law is as serious as the influence-peddling scandal. According to what was reported by the Middle East News Agency and published by media reports,
This came as the acting Minister of Defense in South Korea denied, today, Friday, what was reported about the re-announcement of martial law in the country, stressing that the army "will not obey any order to declare martial law again."
Earlier, the South Korean Yonhap News Agency quoted the Democratic Party as saying that party members are on high alert after numerous reports of an imminent second declaration of martial law.
The agency added that the party will hold an emergency meeting on Friday.
The leader of the opposition Democratic Party in South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, called today, Friday, for an official meeting with the leader of the ruling People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, to discuss developments in the country.
Jae-myung said in remarks carried by the Korean Broadcasting Corporation (KBS) in its English-language broadcast that he had requested a meeting several times, but had not received any response yet. He pointed out that at this historic moment, the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties must put the people and the country first and discuss ways to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities.
The leader of the ruling People Power Party in South Korea, Han Dong-hoon, called on Friday for the suspension of President Yoon Suk-yeol as soon as possible.
Dong-hoon said, according to the Korean Broadcasting Corporation (KBS) in its English-language broadcast, that the president ordered the arrest of senior politicians and their detention at a facility in the city of "Gwacheon" in "Gyeonggi" Province when he declared martial law last Tuesday, noting that Yoon's continued tenure could put the country and citizens in great danger.
The network indicated that a vote is scheduled to be held tomorrow, Saturday, in the National Assembly on a proposal to remove the South Korean president from office. South Korea has been in political chaos since Tuesday after President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of emergency in the country in a televised address to the nation. He said martial law was necessary to protect the constitutional order and eliminate pro-North Korean forces in the country. However, he lifted it shortly after the National Assembly rejected it.