South Korean president accepts defense minister’s resignation

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignation of his Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Thursday amid growing criticism over his involvement in Yoon's failed martial law declaration.

Kim, who had suggested the martial law declaration to Yoon, offered his resignation Wednesday after Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law Tuesday night, only to revoke it hours later following parliament’s approval of a resolution to cancel the decree.

Yoon has nominated Choi Byung-huk, a retired four-star general who is currently serving as South Korea's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to replace Kim, Yoon's Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk announced during a press briefing, according to Yonhap News.

Choi is regarded as a strong candidate to "fulfill the military's core responsibilities, including maintaining a solid readiness posture based on the strong South Korea-US alliance," Chung said.

In a late-night live televised address Tuesday, Yoon declared martial law but was forced to lift it just hours later after lawmakers unanimously voted to block the order amid nationwide protests.

Opposition parties subsequently filed an impeachment motion against Yoon.