South Korean Defense Minister Resigns After Martial Law Disaster
South Korean President Yoon Sook-yeol on Thursday accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, even as critics demanded Yoon step down over his aborted attempt to impose martial law Tuesday.
Kim reportedly proposed the ill-fated declaration of martial law to Yoon, who stunned the world and plunged Seoul into chaos by issuing the order on Tuesday night, local time. The National Assembly, South Korea’s parliament, defied Yoon’s orders by barricading itself inside the assembly chamber and voting to lift martial law within a matter of hours.
Yoon declared martial law because he claimed the legislature had been infiltrated by “subversive anti-state elements” that were paralyzing his administration and blocking his agenda, all for the benefit of “North Korean communist forces.” He had deployed police and military forces around the National Assembly building in an unsuccessful attempt to keep legislators from voting.
Yoon also accused the opposition Democratic Party (DP) of cutting funding for police and the courts to thwart investigations into party leader Lee Jae-myung. The DP, in turn, accused Yoon of declaring martial law to block investigations into high officials of his People Power Party (PPP), including himself and his wife.
Kim is the first high-ranking Yoon ally to tender his resignation. Rumors swirled in Seoul that other top officials in the administration would resign, but so far they have not done so. (Read more from “South Korean Defense Minister Resigns After Martial Law Disaster” HERE)








