Former South Korean Defense Minister Arrested, President Demanded 'Orderly Withdrawal'

According to Yonhap news agency, the South Korean Special Investigation Headquarters announced that it had arrested former Defense Minister Kim and confiscated his mobile phone today (December 8). Authorities took Mr. Kim to a detention center in eastern Seoul.

The former defense chief's arrest came about six hours after he arrived at the Special Investigation Headquarters at 1:30 a.m. this morning for overnight questioning. Mr. Kim said he would actively cooperate with investigators.

Kim proposed President Yoon Suk-yeol impose martial law late on December 4 amid growing political deadlock with the opposition-controlled National Assembly, Yonhap reported. Yoon reversed the order six hours after the National Assembly voted against the move.

Mr. Kim submitted his resignation, which was accepted by the President on December 5. Prosecutors are said to have arrested the former defense minister because of the seriousness of the charges and concerns that he might destroy evidence. Speculation about this possibility arose after Mr. Kim was spotted re-joining the messaging app Telegram after deleting his account. Prosecutors are expected to restore his previous conversations on the platform.

Ruling party vows to force president to 'orderly withdraw'

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon pledged to work towards Yoon's "orderly withdrawal" after a failed impeachment attempt at the National Assembly on December 7.

Mr Han apologized after the impeachment motion against Mr Yoon was dropped after most PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote. The PPP holds 108 of the 300 seats in the National Assembly and the motion needs two-thirds support to pass.

The PPP chairman also reiterated his earlier stance that the president's declaration of martial law was a "clear and serious violation of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Korea."

"The PPP will push for an orderly presidential withdrawal to minimize chaos. President Yoon will be stripped of his duties until he steps down and the prime minister will handle state affairs after consultation with the party," Han said, adding that he would consult with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) to pursue the process in a "predictable and transparent" manner.

Meanwhile, a DP spokesman said the party will continue to push for President Yoon's impeachment every week, despite the failed attempt on December 7.