South Korean President Yoon Seok-yol has been barred from leaving the country as part of an investigation into his recent declaration of martial law, the Yonhap news agency reported on Monday.
The travel ban was implemented by the Justice Ministry and took effect around 3:00 p.m. local time on December 8.
Officials are also considering a similar travel restriction for the president’s wife, Kim Keon-hee, though no decision has been made yet.
The investigation follows reports that South Korean police and prosecutors have formed separate teams to examine the circumstances surrounding President Yoon’s brief and controversial martial law declaration last week.
President Yoon declared martial law in response to what he described as "anti-government activity."
However, the decision was met with widespread criticism, including from members of his own ruling People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party, who deemed the move unconstitutional.
In response, the South Korean parliament unanimously voted to lift martial law, citing constitutional provisions that require the president to comply with parliamentary decisions in such cases.
The opposition Democratic Party also launched impeachment proceedings against the president, accusing him of overstepping his authority.
But Yoon avoided impeachment after the majority of lawmakers from the ruling party declined to participate in the vote.
