Kim, who proposed and led martial law, accused of treason
Speaker of the National Assembly and others express concern over "high possibility of overseas escape"
Woo Jong-su, head of the National Police Agency, also orders "necessary measures"
The prosecution banned former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who is known to have proposed and led the declaration of martial law, from leaving the country on the 5th. Kim expressed his intention to take responsibility for the martial law and resigned the day before, and was dismissed on the same day. He has been accused of abuse of authority and treason.
The Public Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Lee Chan-gyu) announced that it had imposed a travel ban on former Minister Kim through the Ministry of Justice on the same day. The measure was based on the charge of abuse of authority. The Reform New Party and others filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office the day before against President Yoon Seok-yeol, former Minister Kim, and Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo (former Martial Law Commander) on charges of treason, abuse of authority, and obstruction of rights under the Criminal Act. The prosecution assigned this case to the Public Investigation Division 1.
Earlier, voices calling for a travel ban on former Minister Kim were raised in the National Assembly, including the Democratic Party. In response, Woo Jong-su, head of the National Investigation Headquarters, who attended the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee on the same day, said, "I have instructed the head of the Security Investigation Division to promptly take the urgently necessary measures." He added, "If there are other urgent measures besides the travel ban, review and implement them." The National Investigation Headquarters is in charge of the treason investigation related to this martial law case.
On the same day, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik requested the Ministry of Justice to impose a travel ban on former Minister Kim. Speaker Woo reportedly said, targeting former Minister Kim, "He is the central figure in the treason suspicion, attempting to neutralize the activities of the National Assembly guaranteed by the Constitution by allowing armed soldiers to break glass windows and enter the National Assembly." He added, "There is a high possibility of fleeing abroad after the sudden dismissal approval today. I request the Minister of Justice to immediately impose a travel ban."
The day before, about 20 martial law troops attempted to break the glass windows and enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Seon-won, after an urgent inquiry session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly on the morning of the same day, told reporters, "Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who conspired and schemed with the President regarding the martial law, is attempting to leave the country." He said, "Former Minister Kim is showing urgent signs of trying to leave the country," adding, "He is trying to become the second 'Run Jong-seop'." The term 'Run Jong-seop' is used critically for former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, who was suspected of exerting pressure on the investigation of a fallen Marine and was appointed ambassador to Australia, subsequently leaving for Australia.
Democratic Party lawmakers Yang Bu-nam and Kim Min-seok also mentioned rumors of former Minister Kim's flight abroad. Kim, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, stated on his personal SNS, "It is certain that former Minister Kim will flee abroad," and added, "He is a key witness and accomplice in the treason case. I request an immediate travel ban."
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