The justice ministry has issued a travel ban for President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is the subject of a criminal investigation concerning possible treason and abuse of authority after declaring martial law last Tuesday.

Bae Sang-up, commissioner of the Korea Immigration Service, confirmed the ban Monday afternoon during a session of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials(CIO), which is investigating the December 3 declaration, requested the ban at 3 p.m. Monday, some 26 minutes after CIO chief Oh Dong-woon told parliament he had ordered the request. 

When asked by the parliamentary committee whether the CIO intends to detain the president as a suspect, Oh said his agency is handling the case to save the nation and nothing has been ruled out.

Oh said the CIO has asked the prosecution and the police to stop investigating Yoon separately and turn over their cases to the CIO.