South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, the current ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as his replacement, the presidential office announced Thursday.
Kim offered his resignation on Wednesday following his role in recommending the controversial martial law declaration, which Yoon rescinded early Wednesday amid intense political and diplomatic backlash. The move sparked accusations of treason from the opposition Democratic Party.
Choi, described by Yoon’s chief of staff Chung Jin-suk as “a principled and dedicated leader,” is expected to guide the military through this turbulent period.
The political fallout continued as Parliament introduced a motion to impeach Yoon over the martial law attempt. The Democratic Party, which labeled the move a “treasonous act,” could push for a vote as early as Friday, although Yoon’s party has vowed to block the effort.
US officials, caught off guard by the martial law declaration, criticized the move as a “serious miscalculation,” according to Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.
