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