Seoul, December 4 (IANS). South Korea’s Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun apologized on Wednesday and offered to resign. “I have submitted my resignation to the President, taking responsibility for the turmoil caused by emergency martial law,” Kim said in a statement. It is alleged that Kim had allegedly proposed to declare martial law. The demand for his resignation came not only from the opposition but also from the ruling party.
Let us tell you that President Yoon Suk-yeol had announced the imposition of martial law in the country on Tuesday night. However, on Wednesday morning he had to reverse his decision. Martial law remained in force for about six hours.
Kim said the ministry will continue to fulfill its responsibilities to protect national defense and public safety. “Martial law has been lifted and people are resuming their daily lives, but the domestic political situation and security conditions are not easy,” he said.
“The Defense Ministry will make all efforts to ensure that defense operations are conducted without hindrances as well as stably manage conflict issues,” Kim said.
Kim’s apology came less than an hour after the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) filed an impeachment motion against him.
The DP is expected to present the resolution, as well as an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, at a full session of parliament on Thursday.
President Yoon mentioned the reasons for imposing martial law in a TV address. He said that the liberals of the country are doing this to save the constitutional system. He said his declaration of martial law was aimed at ‘eliminating anti-state forces’. He accused the opposition of ‘crippling’ the government by bringing impeachment motions against public officials and undermining the proposed national budget.
Yun’s declaration of martial law was opposed not only by opposition parties but also by his own ruling party, the People’s Power Party (PPP).
PPP Chairman Han Dong-hoon appealed to President Yoon Sook Yeol to explain his decision to declare emergency martial law.
“President Yoon must speak directly about this disastrous situation and hold those responsible to strict accountability, including immediately firing the defense minister who proposed martial law,” Han told the National Assembly. “
According to media reports, the popularity rating of President Yoon Suk-yeol People’s Power is continuously decreasing. His wife has also been associated with some alleged scams and controversies.
–IANS
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