Authorities confirmed Tuesday that exit bans imposed in Yoon martial law probe now include former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok. Police named the two former officials as suspects in the growing insurrection case surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol. They reportedly blocked their travel mid-May, tightening restrictions amid ongoing investigations. Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min also remains barred from leaving the country under an extended order. Exit bans imposed in Yoon martial law probe mark a new phase in the high-profile inquiry.
On Monday, investigators summoned Han, Choi, and Lee for ten hours of questioning at police headquarters. Officers interrogated them over suspicions they supported Yoon’s martial law plan declared on December 3. Authorities believe the three may have made false statements about receiving and processing related documents. They analyzed surveillance footage from the Cabinet meeting room and hallway at the presidential office. Exit bans imposed in Yoon martial law probe follow this significant evidence review.
Han reportedly insisted he did not know about Yoon’s martial law plan before the declaration. He claimed he strongly opposed it once he realized Yoon intended to proceed. His aide told Yonhap News that Han fully cooperated with police and shared consistent testimony with other agencies. In February, Han denied wrongdoing and said he discovered the decree document in his suit pocket only after the Assembly rescinded it. Despite mounting scrutiny, exit bans imposed in Yoon martial law probe continue to expand.
Choi and Lee also restated their earlier claims during the recent interrogation. Choi admitted someone handed him a folded memo from Yoon during the Cabinet meeting but claimed he never read it. Lee denied allegations that Yoon ordered him to cut power and water to media offices, contradicting earlier claims. Police continue to examine conflicting statements and timeline inconsistencies. Investigators now consider the reliability of each official’s role and recollection.
Moreover, police have extended travel bans on top Presidential Security Service officials, including former chief Park Chong-jun and deputy head Kim Seong-hoon. Investigators recently discovered remote deletions of sensitive phone server data involving Yoon and two other top officials. The deletions targeted user records submitted earlier by the PSS to law enforcement. While police have not identified a clear suspect, they are investigating whether Yoon or Kim ordered the data wipe. Exit bans imposed in Yoon martial law probe reflect increasing concern over evidence tampering at the highest levels.
