South Korea launches treason probe into Yoon over martial law move, resignation talks begin

Yoon Suk-yeol’s ruling People Power Party is also considering his resignation and holding a snap election in April or May due to ongoing turmoil

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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, with Kim Yong-hyun, his former defence minister. Photo: Yonhap/dpa

Published: 5:28pm, 10 Dec 2024Updated: 6:44pm, 10 Dec 2024

South Korean lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday to appoint a special counsel to investigate treason charges against President Yoon Suk-yeol and other top military officials over his botched attempt to impose martial law.

Additionally, Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) is exploring his potential resignation as early as February, and considering a snap election in April or May over the ongoing turmoil.

In a plenary session vote, 210 of the 287 attending lawmakers, including 23 from the PPP, backed the bill. The PPP allowed members to vote at their discretion without a party line. The bill seeks to establish a permanent special counsel to conduct investigations independently of existing authorities, reducing potential presidential or governmental interference.

Unlike regular special counsels, the president cannot veto a permanent special counsel, allowing the Assembly to immediately start recommending candidates.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during the declaration of emergency martial law on December 3 in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: South Korean Presidential Office/TNS

The main opposition Democratic Party had advocated for a special counsel investigation, arguing that public prosecutors cannot be trusted to conduct a thorough investigation of Yoon, a former prosecutor-general.