High-Ranking Aides of President Yoon in South Korea Tender Resignations Following Martial Law Controversy

Seoul, Dec 4 (NationPress) A significant number of senior aides to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, including his Chief of Staff, submitted their resignations on Wednesday, as reported by the Presidential office, following the National Assembly's rejection of Yoon's unexpected martial law declaration.

The resigning officials include Chung Jin-suk, the presidential chief of staff; National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik; and Sung Tae-yoon, the chief of staff for policy, along with seven additional senior aides, according to Yonhap news agency.

This wave of resignation offers was prompted after Yoon announced martial law on Tuesday night, accusing the opposition of being “anti-state forces” that hinder the country’s operations through impeachment motions and a reduced budget proposal.

Yoon rescinded the martial law after the National Assembly unanimously voted early Wednesday to call for its repeal.

A planned meeting, which was set to mark President Yoon Suk Yeol's first public appearance since lifting the martial law, has been postponed, according to his office.

The meeting on drug responses was slated for 10 a.m. at the presidential office, but was delayed, as confirmed by a senior official without providing further details.

This decision followed Yoon's early Wednesday lifting of the emergency martial law, just six hours after its surprising announcement.

The head of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to clarify the reasoning behind his martial law declaration and to dismiss Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun over what he termed a “disastrous situation”.

Han Dong-hoon made this statement after Yoon lifted the martial law during a Cabinet meeting early Wednesday, following the National Assembly's vote to block the decree.

Yoon justified his martial law declaration by stating it was intended to “eradicate anti-state forces,” charging the opposition with “paralysing” the government through impeachment motions against officials and diminishing the national budget proposal.

“As the ruling party, we feel deeply apologetic to the public for today’s disastrous situation,” Han expressed to reporters at the National Assembly.

“President Yoon should directly explain the disastrous situation and hold those responsible strictly accountable, including the immediate dismissal of the Defence Minister who proposed the martial law,” he added.

Kim, a former leader of the Presidential Security Service and a close ally of Yoon, was appointed as Defence Minister in September. The Defence Ministry confirmed that Kim had proposed the martial law to Yoon.

Han indicated that his party aims to mitigate the repercussions on the country's economy and diplomacy, pledging a thorough investigation into the matter and necessary actions.