Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

South Korea's defence minister resigns following martial law turmoil, media report

South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun delivers a speech during the plenary session of the Seoul Defense Dialogue 2024 in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun delivers a speech during the plenary session of the Seoul Defense Dialogue 2024 in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. Copyright  Lee Jin-man/AP
Copyright Lee Jin-man/AP
By Euronews
Published on Updated
Share this article Comments
Share this article Close Button

The decision came after Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly was partially responsible for the declaration of the short-lived martial law, had offered to resign.

South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignation of former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun, several media reported. Kim allegedly advised Yoon to declare martial law.

It marks the first resignation since a political crisis unfolded across the country after Yoon imposed a short-lived martial law.

Local media reported that the president named South Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, as the new defence minister.

The decision comes at a time when Yoon's own political future faces uncertainty, as opposition parties submitted a motion to impeach the president on Wednesday after the crisis that thrust the country into political turmoil raised questions about his ability to govern.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article Comments