UPDATES WITH DEFENSE MINISTER’S RESIGNATION OFFER
By Anadolu staff
ANKARA (AA) - The entire Cabinet of South Korea on Wednesday offered to resign after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law in the country, local media reported.
According to KBS broadcaster, the Cabinet offered to resign after senior presidential staff collectively submitted their resignations.
Defense Minister Yong-Hyun Kim said he has tendered his resignation to the president, taking “responsibility for all matters related to martial law.”
"As the Minister of National Defense, I feel responsible and apologize for causing confusion and concern to the public regarding martial law," Yong was quoted as saying by Yonhap News on Wednesday.
He is reported to have directly suggested to Yoon to declare martial law.
"Martial law has been lifted and the people are returning to their daily lives, but the domestic political and security situations are not easy,” he further said, adding: "The Ministry of National Defense is taking this situation very seriously and will make every effort to stably manage pressing issues while ensuring that there are no disruptions to national defense operations."
Yong further said that the South Korean army will maintain a “firm” military readiness posture to support national defense and the safety of the people, and will be more “dedicated to the original mission assigned to the military."
Early Wednesday, the Presidential Office announced the mass resignation of the chief of staff and senior secretaries.
However, earlier in the morning Prime Minister Han Duck-soo vowed to continue to serve the people after a martial law order was lifted overnight.
The resignations come in the wake of the unprecedented martial law declaration, which was quickly overturned by parliament, creating significant political turbulence in South Korea.
Yoon had declared martial law at 10.25 p.m. Tuesday (1325GMT) but announced lifting it at 4:27 a.m. Wednesday, (1927GMT, Tuesday), for the first time in 45 years. But 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament voted down his move, making it obligatory on him to comply with their motion.
A Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo passed the resolution after Yoon backtracked from his decision to impose martial law, which had been rejected by most of the lawmakers.