South Korean President Appoints New Defense Minister in the Midst of Political Crisis

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has named Choi Byung-hyuk, the country’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a former army general, as his new defense minister after a declaration of martial law.

Yoon accepted the resignation of Kim Yong-hyun, the outgoing defense minister. Kim resigned after reports saying that he advised Yoon to declare martial law on Dec. 3.

During the almost six hours of martial law that lasted into early Dec. 4, Kim ordered troops to enter the Parliament building. The martial law was quickly overturned after a parliamentary vote demanded its reversal.

The president said that martial law was needed to protect the free constitutional order and because the opposition, which holds a majority in Parliament, was sympathizing with communists and North Korea.

Within hours of the president’s martial law declaration—in defiance of a ban on political activities—South Korea’s Parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, unanimously passed a motion for martial law to be lifted.

The president then rescinded the declaration of martial law, about six hours after its proclamation.

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Yoon has since faced the threat of impeachment proceedings.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) then called for Yoon to resign.

“It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down,” senior DP member of Parliament Park Chan-dae said in a statement.

The president’s office stated that several of Yoon’s aides resigned after martial law was lifted, including his presidential chief of staff, his national security adviser, his chief of staff for policy, and seven other senior officials, according to South Korean news outlet Yonhap News Agency.

On Dec. 4, six opposition parties submitted a bill calling for Yoon’s impeachment, saying his declaration of martial law violated the Constitution.

The impeachment bill is expected to be put to a vote as early as Dec. 6, Yonhap reported. The bill will require the support of two-thirds of Parliament before the impeachment can proceed to the Constitutional Court for review to determine whether the charges are factually serious and legally valid.

The surprise declaration of martial law late on Dec. 3 temporarily banned political activity, including the activities of the National Assembly and demonstrations, and censored media and publications. Under martial law, authorities may search and arrest suspected violators without a warrant.

The Parliament’s secretary-general said about 280 troops were deployed following the decree to secure the Parliament building, local media reported.

Protests calling for Yoon’s resignation were held in the capital city of Seoul.

Aldgra Fredly, Reuters, and Ryan Morgan contributed to this report.

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