South Korea police raid President Yoon’s office over martial law declaration

News of raid comes as officials say Yoon’s former defence minister attempted suicide while in custody

South Korean police have raided the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his role in declaring martial law last week – a move that plunged Asia’s fourth-biggest economy into crisis and caused alarm among its allies.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said the search on Wednesday was part of an attempt by law enforcement agencies to establish whether Yoon’s actions, supported by other senior figures in his administration, amounted to insurrection – a crime that does not carry presidential immunity and can carry the death penalty.

A special investigation unit confirmed it had raided the presidential office and other agencies, but it emerged later that Yoon’s security guards had prevented officers from getting into the main building.

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