South Korea’s political crisis intensified after President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment vote on Saturday, with the prosecutors’ office reported to have opened an investigation into his role in last week’s brief imposition of martial law and arrested the former defense minister in connection with the declaration.

Park Se-hyun, chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office, opened the probe into Yoon after receiving several complaints, according to Yonhap News. The report followed the arrest hours earlier of ex-defense minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Yoon’s office could not immediately comment on the report, while the prosecutors’ office was not available for comment.

The investigation marks a dramatic turn of events for Yoon, a former prosecutor who made his name pursuing an influence-peddling case that involved former president Park Geun-hye — who was ultimately impeached and jailed.

The effects of the martial law declaration were still being felt Sunday, with Interior Minister Lee Sang-min quitting because of the turmoil.

People Power Party Han Dong-hoon leader tried to reassure South Koreans by announcing that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will manage the nation’s affairs as the party prepares an orderly exit plan for Yoon.

“The president will not be involved in any state affairs including diplomacy before his exit,” party leader said.

The martial law imposition late Tuesday night caught some of South Korea’s closest allies by surprise, and Han said his government would do its best to regain the trust of the international community.

“It is very important that we keep strong ties with the US and Japan in terms of national security, while maintaining the U.S.-Korea alliance firm,” Han said. “Most importantly, the approval of the government budget plan and accompanying bills is key to the country’s normal operation,” Han said.

Parliament speaker Woo Won-shik denounced the ruling party’s move for the prime minister to assume presidential powers as unconstitutional. Woo proposed a meeting between the rival parties to immediately suspend the president from his duties.

“The prime minister and the ruling party saying they would jointly exercise the presidential power that nobody gave them is a clear violation of the Constitution,” Woo said. “The people and the world are asking who is in charge of South Korea right now. I myself, the national assembly speaker, cannot answer who that is.”

Yoon’s declaration was condemned by the opposition, which controls a majority in the legislative body. Prime Minister Han assuming Yoon’s role is “unconstitutional and anarchic,” it said. The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party said Saturday it would push quickly for another impeachment vote.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok assured the country that the government would deploy all available measures and take bold and swift steps to contain the situation.

President Yoon revoked his martial law imposition within hours of announcing it after parliament unanimously rejected the declaration. Yoon managed to survive the impeachment motion because the ruling party lawmakers boycotted the vote.

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(With assistance from Jaehyun Eom, Soo-Hyang Choi and Maggie Otte.)

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