Ex-defense minister placed under travel ban amid treason charges

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun speaks during a meeting at the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, Nov. 28. Yonhap

The prosecution on Thursday imposed a travel ban on former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun pending an investigation into charges of treason following this week's aborted declaration of martial law, judicial sources said.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office imposed the ban after a group of minor political parties filed a complaint accusing President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su of treason.

Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday night at Kim's suggestion amid an intensifying political deadlock with the opposition-controlled National Assembly. He reversed the order six hours later after the Assembly voted to end it.

Kim tendered his resignation and Yoon accepted it Thursday. (Yonhap)