SOUTH KOREAN prosecutors today detained a former defence minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief imposition of martial law to President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first figure detained over the case.

The development came a day after President Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him in parliament, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a vote to prevent the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. 

The main opposition Democratic Party said it will propose a new impeachment motion against President Yoon.