South Korea’s Defence Minister Offers to Resign Over Martial Law Attempt
Background to the Crisis
In a surprise move, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law in an unexpected statement late Tuesday, only to lift it hours later as the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to reject it.
Defence Minister’s Apology and Resignation Offer
In response to the public concern caused by the attempted declaration of martial law, Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun apologised and offered to resign. In a statement sent to reporters, Kim said, "I have offered my will to resign to the president, taking responsibility for all the turmoil caused by the emergency martial law."
Kim, who reportedly proposed declaring martial law to Yoon, stressed that he should be held accountable and that all troops who executed martial law were simply following his orders. He also acknowledged that the military had launched a martial law command that promulgated a decree and mobilised some 280 martial law troops to enter the National Assembly compound.
Military Operations and Security
Kim assured that the ministry will continue to maintain firm readiness to guard national defence and public safety. He stated, "Martial law has been lifted, and the people are recovering their daily lives, but the domestic political situation and security circumstances are not easy." He added, "The defence ministry takes this situation very sternly and will make all efforts to ensure that defence operations are carried out without setbacks while stably managing confronting issues."
Impeachment Motion
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) proposed a motion to impeach Kim shortly after his apology, and the party is expected to report the motion to a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday along with the impeachment motion for President Yoon Suk Yeol. By law, an impeachment motion must be put to a vote between 24 and 72 hours after the motion is reported to a plenary session.
Conclusion
The crisis has raised concerns about the stability of the country’s political situation and the security of its citizens. The Defence Minister’s apology and resignation offer are a sign of accountability, but the opposition’s impeachment motion may signal a deeper reckoning for those involved in the attempted declaration of martial law.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the purpose of the attempted declaration of martial law?
- The exact purpose is unclear, but it is believed to be related to political tensions and concerns about the stability of the government.
- What was the response of the opposition party?
- The main opposition Democratic Party proposed a motion to impeach Defence Minister Kim and President Yoon Suk Yeol, and is expected to put it to a vote later this week.
- What is the current state of the country’s political situation?
- The crisis has raised concerns about the stability of the government and the security of its citizens, and the opposition’s impeachment motion may signal a deeper reckoning for those involved.