South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has accepted the resignation of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun following the controversial declaration of martial law earlier this week. In a significant political shift, Yoon has nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to take over as the new defence minister. The presidential office confirmed the appointment on Thursday, marking the first official move by President Yoon after he withdrew the martial law declaration on Wednesday, following intense domestic and international criticism.
Kim, who resigned on Wednesday, had been a key figure behind the martial law recommendation made to President Yoon earlier in the week. The controversial martial law order, which was announced by Yoon on Tuesday, was met with swift opposition from both domestic and international sources. Kim’s involvement in the decision, as a senior military official, has been highlighted in filings by opposition members who are seeking to impeach the president. According to these filings, Kim played a central role in advising Yoon to impose the martial law, which added to the political chaos surrounding the incident.
Following Kim’s resignation, President Yoon moved quickly to appoint Choi as the new defence minister. Yoon’s chief of staff, Chung Jin-suk, praised Choi as “a person of principle” who is dedicated to his duties and adheres to regulations. Choi’s appointment comes at a time of heightened political turmoil, as President Yoon faces mounting pressure from both the opposition and the public following the martial law debacle.
The political fallout from the martial law declaration has been severe, with South Korea’s parliament introducing a motion to impeach President Yoon on Thursday. The motion accuses Yoon of mishandling the martial law issue, calling it a dangerous overstep of executive powers. The opposition Democratic Party has labeled the martial law attempt as a “treasonous act,” and its lawmakers have called for an immediate vote on the impeachment, which could take place as soon as Friday. However, Yoon’s party has vowed to oppose the impeachment motion, leaving the situation uncertain.
On the international stage, the martial law declaration has caused significant diplomatic tension, particularly with the United States. U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, expressed surprise and dismay over the declaration, with Campbell describing it as “badly misjudged.” The international reaction underscores the potential long-term ramifications of the incident for South Korea’s diplomatic relations. As the political crisis continues to unfold, President Yoon faces an uphill battle to restore stability and confidence in his administration.
