South Korean President Yoon named as suspect following failed martial law declaration

ANKARA

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been named a suspect on possible charges of treason following his aborted martial law declaration last week, a key prosecutor said Sunday.

"Numerous complaints have been submitted, and an investigation is underway in accordance with the process," Seoul-based Yonhap News quoted Park Se-hyun, who is leading a special investigation into Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law, as saying.

Prosecutors are investigating charging Yoon with treason and abuse of power, he added.

The move came a day after Yoon survived an opposition-led motion to impeach him, although his political fate remains uncertain.

Opposition demands Yoon's arrest

Separately, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Sunday called for Yoon's immediate "arrest and investigation" over his botched attempt to impose martial law.

The DP also squarely rejected the ruling party's plan to have the prime minister lead state affairs for the time being.

"Suspending Yoon's presidential duty is the only process that accords with the Constitution, and any other measures are unconstitutional and nothing but another act of insurrection," DP lawmaker Kim Min-seok told reporters.

Kim said the opposition will not allow "for even a minute such an unconstitutional way of governing," despite a consensus between Yoon, the prime minister, and PPP leader Han.