South Korean Interior Minister Resigns and New Controversies

South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min has resigned and been approved by President Yoon Suk Yeol, despite the ruling party's earlier announcement that Yoon would suspend his presidential duties.

Mr. Lee resigns after being impeached by South Korea's opposition party

Yonhap news agency reported on December 8 that South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min submitted his resignation amid political turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared controversial martial law.

South Korea's Interior Ministry said President Yoon had accepted Mr Lee's resignation. Mr Lee, one of President Yoon's close aides, submitted his resignation after the opposition Democratic Party sought impeachment.

During a parliamentary committee session after the lifting of martial law, Mr. Lee appeared to defend Mr. Yoon, saying that the president declared martial law while following constitutional and legal procedures.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yoon's acceptance of the resignation could draw further criticism as it is seen as an exercise of presidential power, contrary to the ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader's earlier statement that he would no longer participate in running state affairs until he leaves "early and in an orderly manner."

In February last year, Mr. Lee was suspended after South Korea's opposition-controlled National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him, following the 2022 Halloween stampede in Seoul's Itaewon district that killed 159 people.

In July, the Constitutional Court of South Korea decided to reinstate Mr. Lee.

In another development, South Korean opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on December 8 accused the PPP and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of "destroying constitutional order" after the PPP and Mr. Han announced that they would jointly manage state affairs.

Mr Lee criticised the PPP and accused the party of "complicitly" abetting the president's move to declare martial law.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Han and PPP leader Han Dong-hoon held a joint press conference, saying that Mr. Yoon would not participate in state affairs, including diplomacy, even before his departure. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han would be in charge until Mr. Yoon stepped down.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-truong-noi-vu-han-quoc-tu-chuc-va-nhieu-tranh-cai-moi-185241208161759379.htm