South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Ministry of Justice confirmed on Monday, marking the first time a sitting president faces such restrictions.
The move follows Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law last week, which threw the country into political chaos.
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On December 3, Yoon deployed special forces and helicopters to the parliament, but lawmakers swiftly rejected the decree, forcing him to rescind the order.
Despite surviving an impeachment motion on Saturday after members of his People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the vote, investigations into Yoon and his close allies continue to intensify, including a probe into alleged insurrection.
At a parliamentary hearing on Monday, Bae Sang-up, an immigration services commissioner at the justice ministry, confirmed the travel ban. “Yes, that’s right,” Bae responded when asked whether Yoon was barred from leaving the country.
Others facing similar restrictions include former Defence Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, currently in detention, former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, General Park An-su—who oversaw the martial law operation—and Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung. Investigators brought Park in for questioning on Monday.
The opposition has strongly criticized Yoon’s continued leadership and accused him of undermining the constitution by delegating powers to unelected officials.
“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” said Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae on Monday.
Under South Korea’s constitution, the president remains head of government and commander-in-chief unless incapacitated or removed through resignation or impeachment.
Park argued that Yoon’s decision to entrust power to the prime minister and PPP leader—who holds no elected mandate—constitutes “a blatant constitutional violation with no legal basis.”
The Ministry of Defence clarified on Monday that Yoon remains in control of the country’s military apparatus, despite rising fears of a leadership vacuum.
“Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-Kyou stated.
Yoon has apologized for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law order but has refused to step down. “I will accept all political and legal responsibility for the martial law fiasco,” Yoon said, adding that he would leave decisions about his fate to his party.
Experts have raised concerns over the legality of Yoon’s actions. Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University Law School, described the situation as resembling “an unconstitutional soft coup.”
“If there are issues with the president, there are ways laid out in the constitution, such as suspending the president from his duties and proceeding with impeachment,” Kim explained.
The opposition has vowed to renew impeachment efforts, with leader Lee Jae-Myung announcing a fresh vote scheduled for Saturday.
Meanwhile, huge crowds are expected to gather outside the National Assembly, as public anger against Yoon grows. A recent Gallup poll commissioned by local media revealed Yoon’s approval rating has plummeted to 11 per cent, a historic low for a sitting South Korean president.
