SOUTH KOREAN prosecutors said today they are seeking to formally arrest the former defence minister alleged to have colluded with President Yoon Suk Yeol in imposing martial law last week.

The Seoul Central District Court said it was reviewing a request from prosecutors for a warrant to arrest Kim Yong Hyun, who has been accused of recommending martial law to President Yoon and sending troops to the National Assembly to stop deputies from voting on it.

Enough lawmakers eventually managed to enter a parliament chamber and unanimously rejected President Yoon’s decree, forcing the Cabinet to lift it before dawn on December 4.

But the martial law decree triggered a general strike and large street protests demanding the removal of the president. 

President Yoon and his associates face criminal investigations and impeachment attempts. Earlier this week the Justice Ministry banned Mr Yoon and eight others from leaving the country as investigations continue. 

It’s the first time that a sitting president in South Korea has received a travel ban.

Mr Kim said in a statement on Tuesday that he was apologetic “for causing significant anxiety and inconvenience.”

He said all responsibility for the imposition of martial law rests solely with him and pleaded for leniency for soldiers deployed to enforce it, saying they were only following his order.

Mr Kim has been detained since Sunday. If an arrest warrant is issued, he would be the first person arrested in the case.

Prosecutors would have up to 20 days to investigate Mr Kim and determine whether to indict him.

A conviction on the charge of rebellion could carry the death penalty.

Prosecutors reportedly accuse Mr Kim of playing a key role in a rebellion and committing abuse of power by staging a riot to disrupt the constitution in collaboration with President Yoon and other military and police officers. 

Prosecutors’ offices in Seoul couldn’t immediately confirm the reports.