Senior aides to South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol collectively offered their resignations on Wednesday, following controversy surrounding acting President Choi Sang-mok’s approval of two new judges for the Constitutional Court. The court is set to rule on Yoon’s impeachment trial.
According to a statement from Yoon’s office, his chief of staff, policy chief, national security advisor, special advisor on foreign affairs and security, and all senior secretaries tendered their resignations. The statement did not provide further details.
A presidential official, speaking anonymously due to political sensitivities, revealed that the aides had previously offered to resign after Yoon’s failed attempt to declare martial law on December 3.
However, their resignations had not been accepted. The official added that these senior secretaries have been supporting Choi since he assumed the acting presidency, though they are not involved in daily government operations. Instead, they report to Choi and attend meetings as needed.
The latest resignation offer came after Choi approved the appointment of two judges to the Constitutional Court, bringing the number of justices to eight on the nine-member panel.
A minimum of six judges must agree to reach a decision in Yoon’s case. Choi’s move faced criticism from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party, which called the decision “dogmatic” and said it lacked proper consultations.
Choi became acting president on Friday following the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had served as acting president since December 14, when Yoon was suspended from office.
Yoon is under investigation for allegations of leading an insurrection, and a Seoul district court granted approval for his arrest on Tuesday, marking a historic first for a sitting president.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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