logo
Ex-PM, former deputy PM barred from leaving South Korea in martial law probe

Ex-PM, former deputy PM barred from leaving South Korea in martial law probe

Sinar Daily27-05-2025

The exit bans were reportedly issued in mid-May, Yonhap news agency quoted the police Tuesday.
27 May 2025 03:15pm
(COMBO) This combination of pictures made on May 27, 2025 shows South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok (L) attending a joint press conference on South Korea's post impeachment situation in Seoul on December 18, 2024, and former acting president Han Duck-soo speaking to formally announce his candidacy for the presidential election at the National Assembly in Seoul on May 2, 2025. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE and Jung Yeon-je / AFP)
SEOUL - Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo and former Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang Mok have been barred from leaving South Korea amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged insurrection attempt involving ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The exit bans were reportedly issued in mid-May, Yonhap news agency quoted the police Tuesday.
Both Han and Choi have been named as suspects in connection with Yoon's failed attempt to declare martial law on Dec 3 last year.
Police said the two were summoned on Monday, along with former Interior Minister Lee Sang Min, for questioning that lasted around 10 hours.
Lee had already been placed under an exit ban earlier in December.
The questioning focused on whether the former officials made false statements regarding how martial law-related documents were received during a Cabinet meeting held on the night of Dec 3.
Police have completed analysis of surveillance footage from the presidential office's Cabinet meeting room and hallway as part of their investigation. - BERNAMA-YONHAP
More Like This

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Four N. Koreans crossed maritime border with South, Seoul says
Four N. Koreans crossed maritime border with South, Seoul says

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

Four N. Koreans crossed maritime border with South, Seoul says

SEOUL: A wooden boat carrying four North Koreans drifted into waters south of the de facto maritime border with the South last month, Seoul's military said on Thursday. They were discovered in the East Sea -- known internationally as the Sea of Japan -- in waters around 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of South Korea's Gangwon province, it said. The South Korean military 'detected a small North Korean wooden boat in waters... east of Goseong in Gangwon Province', an official said. The four North Koreans have been sent to a 'relevant institution' after being identified by the military and the Coast Guard, he said. North Koreans are typically handed over to Seoul's intelligence agency for screening when they arrive in the South. All four North Koreans have expressed their wish to return home, according to Seoul's Yonhap news agency, which said it was believed they crossed the de facto border accidentally. Seoul's unification ministry, which manages relations with Pyongyang, said 'we will pursue their prompt and safe repatriation on humanitarian grounds' if they wanted to return to North Korea. South Korea's military also found another wooden boat carrying two North Koreans in the western Yellow Sea in early March. However, those two Koreans -- who also expressed their will to return to the North -- are still in the South because Pyongyang is yet to respond to Seoul's communications regarding the issue. A North Korean defected to the South across the same de facto border in the Yellow Sea last year, arriving 'on foot' on Gyodong island off the peninsula's west coast near the border between the Koreas. South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung, who took office on Wednesday, has vowed a more dovish approach towards Pyongyang compared with his hawkish predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee said on Wednesday he would seek talks with the North following a deep freeze under Yoon, under whose tenure relations plummeted to their worst level in years.

Korean bishops urge President Lee to promote unity, peace
Korean bishops urge President Lee to promote unity, peace

Herald Malaysia

time6 hours ago

  • Herald Malaysia

Korean bishops urge President Lee to promote unity, peace

His resounding election victory comes after a martial law fiasco that plunged the nation into chaos Jun 05, 2025 South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung talks to attendees during the conclusion of his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / POOL / AFP) SEOUL: Catholic bishops in South Korea have urged the newly elected President Lee Jae-myung to work towards greater unity within the country, while focusing on reconciliation efforts with North Korea. Lee was sworn into office on June 4 after securing 49.4 percent of the nearly 35 million votes cast. He beat his conservative rival Kim Moon-soo. Bishop Mathias Ri Iong-hoon, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK), congratulated Lee on his win on June 4 on behalf of the bishops and the Church. The bishop expressed hope that the North and South Koreas could reconcile 'for the sake of peace on the Korean Peninsula' under Lee's initiative. Ri also pointed out that the nation needs a 'trustworthy leader' who will uphold principles and 'walk the path of justice and true peace even amid conflict and division.' The prelate called upon Lee to lead the people towards a nation 'where all citizens are masters of their own destiny, where everyone can enjoy dignity and respect as human beings." He also urged Lee to work towards a nation 'where the right to express one's will with confidence is guaranteed.' Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul, who also serves as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Pyongyang, North Korea, said that the election victory places a 'heavy responsibility' on Lee. 'This election was a time when our society, despite deep turmoil and division, upheld the democratic process to the end with a mature civic consciousness,' Chung said. Lee's resounding election victory over his opponent, Kim, a member of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's former People Power Party, came after a martial law fiasco that plunged the nation into chaos. Yoon's impeachment over the martial law bid, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament, had made him the second straight conservative president to be stripped of office after Park Geun-hye in 2017, AFP reported. Yoon, on Dec. 3 last year, had declared a short-lived martial law on South Korea, citing the threat of North Korea and "anti-state forces.' More than 280 troops backed by 24 helicopters arrived at parliament to lock down the site after the extraordinary declaration. The current President Lee was among the 190 lawmakers who defied the rifle-carrying soldiers to force their way into parliament to vote against the move, leaving Yoon with no choice but to retract. Lee, who assumed office immediately without the usual months-long transition period following a regular South Korean presidential election, now finds himself at the nation's helm facing a host of challenges. South Korea faces sluggish growth and a global trade war, as well as mounting concerns over the military ties between nuclear-armed Pyongyang and Moscow. In his inaugural address, Lee urged South Koreans to move "forward with hope and make a fresh start from this moment on,' while promising to "pursue dialogue, communication, and co-operation" with North

Small traders may use subsidised LPG until regulation amendments this October
Small traders may use subsidised LPG until regulation amendments this October

Borneo Post

time6 hours ago

  • Borneo Post

Small traders may use subsidised LPG until regulation amendments this October

Armizan says no legal action will be taken against this group of traders during the transition period. – Bernama photo PUTRAJAYA (June 5): Micro and small-scale traders in the food and beverage sector may continue using subsidised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders without a special permit until the amendments to the Control of Supplies Regulations (PPKB) 2021 are finalised this October. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said no legal action will be taken against this group of traders during the transition period. 'Small and micro food and beverage traders will be allowed to obtain supplies of subsidised LPG cylinders without the need for a scheduled controlled goods permit,' he told a press conference here. He said the Cabinet, in its meeting today, agreed to the ministry's proposal to amend the regulations, which initially came into effect on Oct 15, 2021, under the previous administration. Armizan added that the amendments would, among others, take into account the specific needs of micro and small-scale food and beverage traders, while also ensuring legal clarity in terms of compliance and enforcement. Armizan said the ministry aims to finalise the amendments once Op Gasak concludes on Oct 31. He added that enforcement against leakages involving illegal decanting activities and misuse by industrial users under Op Gasak would continue. 'The Op Gasak report will serve as a basis for us to determine the way forward in ensuring we have suitable legal provisions that are clear and take into account the needs of those providing services to the public, especially food and beverage businesses,' he said. He added that the amendment process will be coordinated through a technical committee established on May 1, chaired by the ministry's secretary-general, and involving relevant ministries and agencies. 'In addition to government representatives, we are also engaging a range of stakeholders. In fact, I will be holding an engagement session with 10 food and beverage business associations tomorrow. 'We welcome any proposals to ensure that these amendments are truly practical and beneficial for the intended target groups,' he said. The Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 limits the ownership and use of subsidised LPG exceeding 42 kilogrammes at any one time without a scheduled controlled goods permit. – Bernama amendments Armizan Mohd Ali Cabinet kpdn LPG cylinders regulations traders

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store