South Korea: Finance Minister Remains Tight-Lipped on Martial Law Inquiry Amid Acting President's Controversy
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Sejong, Dec 23 (NationPress) On Monday, South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok chose not to make any remarks regarding the current investigation into the martial law controversy, coinciding with the main opposition Democratic Party (DP)'s initiative to possibly impeach acting President Han Duck-soo.
On Sunday, the DP pledged to hold Han accountable if he does not enact special counsel bills aimed at President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee by Tuesday.
"We are exerting our utmost efforts under acting President Han Duck-soo's guidance to maintain the stable management of the nation’s international standing," Choi informed the media.
Choi, who also serves as deputy prime minister for economic matters, is poised to take on the acting presidency should Han be impeached by the DP.
Speculation surrounding Choi's potential new position has intensified, particularly after Han was recently identified as one of nine individuals interviewed by police concerning their participation in a Cabinet meeting just before Yoon announced martial law on December 3. Currently, Han is being treated as a suspect in this inquiry, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
When repeatedly questioned about the contentious Cabinet meeting on December 3, Choi refrained from sharing specifics, noting that he had been interrogated as a witness in the investigation.
"This matter is for the investigative authorities to address," stated the minister.
Earlier that day, South Korean police scrutinized President Yoon Suk Yeol's personal phone records after obtaining them as part of their investigation into the failed declaration of martial law earlier this month, according to officials.
The police special investigation unit overseeing the case is examining the records for interactions with individuals allegedly linked to the martial law imposition on December 3, following their acquisition through a warrant.
Authorities are also pursuing a secured phone utilized by Yoon and its records from the Presidential Security Service.
In a separate development, police have acquired a document that Yoon provided to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok during a Cabinet meeting that occurred shortly before the martial law announcement.
This document reportedly details strategies to halt operational expenditures for the National Assembly and to establish a budget for the legislature under martial law.
