South Korean authorities have imposed travel bans on two former acting presidents, Han Duck-soo and Choi Sang-mok, as part of an investigation into alleged insurrection linked to ex-leader Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law bid last year. The police barred them from traveling abroad in mid-May as they underwent investigation as suspects in the insurrection case.
The former prime minister and ex-finance minister were questioned by a special police unit over their role in Yoon’s short-lived martial law. This development comes after Yoon was formally stripped of office last month, with a judge ruling that he had overstepped his authority by deploying troops in the capital. Senior military and police officials testified that they were ordered to detain rival politicians.
Yoon declared emergency martial law in December 2024, claiming that anti-state and North Korean forces had infiltrated the government, deploying troops onto the streets of the capital. However, the declaration was revoked hours later by parliament, thrusting South Korea into an unprecedented constitutional crisis that involved both Han and Choi serving as acting presidents.
The former president is currently on trial on insurrection charges, potentially facing life in prison or the country’s maximum penalty: the death sentence. If found guilty, he would become the third South Korean president to be convicted of insurrection after two military leaders in connection with a 1979 coup.
With South Koreans set to go to the polls next week to elect Yoon’s successor, Han’s attempted bid for the ruling conservative People Power Party’s presidential nomination was unsuccessful. He was forced to drop out this month after internecine disputes led to rival Kim Moon-soo being chosen.