South Korean President Banned Foreign Travel

The Justice Ministry in South Korea has banned the country's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, from traveling abroad, as authorities investigate allegations of rebellion and other charges linked to his short-lived war situation statement last week.

This president's decision, taken last Tuesday, which has resulted in the commitment of special troops to the streets of Seoul, has pushed South Korea into a political turmoil and has raised the concerns of partners and neighbours.

On Saturday, Yoon has avoided an attempt by the opposition to oust him from power, as some MPs have boycotted the voting process in Parliament.

However, the opposition has said it will hand over the new motion this week.

Bay Sang-up, the ministry's official, has said at a parliamentary session that he has prevented Yoon from leaving the state, following demands made by police, prosecutors and the anti-corruption agency, as the investigation into the president's actions is expanded.

On Monday, a senior official of the National Police Agency has told reporters that police could even arrest the president if all conditions are met.

Although a acting president in South Korea has immunity from prosecution while in power, something like that is not worth when it comes to allegations of rebellion or treason.

That means Yoon can be questioned and banned by police regarding his decree for declaring the state of war.

Still, many observers suspect that the police will stop him by force, as there is potential for serious clashes with the presidential security service.

While declaring the situation of the war last week, Yoon has called parliament “criminal subsurgeon”, and has pledged to eliminate the unsavory “supporters of North Korea”.

Yoon's decision to state war has only lasted six hours because the National Assembly has voted to bring down this measure. / REL/