UPDATES WITH RAID ON DEFENSE MINISTER'S RESIDENCE AFTER ARREST, CHANGES HEADLINE AND LEDE
By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) - South Korean Police raided the residence of the country’s former defense minister on Sunday hours after he was taken into custody for his role in last week's martial law declaration, which plunged the country into a deepening political crisis.
The raid took place amid a widening probe over treason charges in connection with President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.
Kim Yong-hyun had already resigned after the declaration, which was lifted within hours after parliament voted it down.
Police have also obtained a court warrant specifying allegations of treason, as well as mutiny under military criminal law, to secure Kim's call records.
Investigators also seized Kim's cellphone and sent him to a detention center in eastern Seoul.
Kim had already faced a travel ban.
A police investigation has already been launched into Yoon and others for alleged insurrection.
In a related development, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min resigned on Sunday, saying he is stepping down "in grave recognition of responsibility for failing to serve the public and the president well."
Yoon accepted Lee's resignation.
The latest developments came a day after Yoon survived an impeachment motion in parliament.
Six opposition parties submitted the motion, which required a threshold of 200 votes in the 300-member parliament to pass, but a near-total boycott by Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) saved the embattled president, although his political future is uncertain.
The opposition plans to propose another impeachment motion this week.