Seoul: A special counsel team on Thursday raided the home of former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min as part of its investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's attempt to impose martial law, legal sources said. The operation was conducted by a team led by special counsel Cho Eun-suk, which dispatched prosecutors and investigators to Lee's residence in Seoul's southern Gangnam Ward. The goal of the raid was to uncover potential evidence of Lee's involvement in the contentious martial law plan.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee is suspected of having ordered the National Fire Agency to cut power and water to Hankyoreh, Kyunghyang Shinmun, and MBC. These media outlets had been critical of the Yoon administration, and the alleged orders came after Yoon declared martial law on December 3. This drastic measure was perceived as an attempt to silence dissent and control the narrative around the administration's activities.

Further allegations suggest that Lee was involved in plotting a second martial law declaration after the initial decree was lifted. This alleged plot reportedly took place during a meeting with several senior members of the administration at a presidential safe house in Seoul, indicating a possible continuation of efforts to control opposition through authoritarian measures.