Senior aides to South Korean President resign en masse

(CLO) Senior aides to impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, including Chief of Staff Chung Jin Suk, offered to resign en masse on January 1.

Those who also submitted their resignations included National Security Adviser Shin Won Sik, Chief of Staff for Policy Sung Tae Yoon, and Foreign Policy Adviser Chang Ho Jin. The decision reflected internal opposition to the actions of Acting President Choi Sang Mok, according to the Presidential Office.

The move comes after acting President Choi appointed two new judges to the Constitutional Court, sparking controversy over the interim leadership's authority.

Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo: CC/Wiki

On December 31, Mr. Choi appointed two judges to fill vacancies in the Constitutional Court, partly meeting the opposition's demands.

However, the presidential office criticized the move, saying that Mr. Choi had exceeded his authority. The appointment could change the voting structure in the court, where at least six votes are needed to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon.

The Constitutional Court now has six months to decide whether President Yoon will be removed or reinstated. Mr Yoon, who was impeached by the National Assembly last month, also faces criminal charges, including for failing to declare martial law on December 3.

In addition, an arrest warrant for Mr. Yoon was issued by a Seoul court on December 31, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has faced an arrest warrant. Mr. Yoon is accused of masterminding the declaration of martial law, leading a rebellion, and abuse of power.

Amid the tensions, Kim Tae-kyu, acting chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, also expressed his intention to resign in protest at the appointment of the judges. Kim took up the role in August after Chairman Lee Jin-sook was impeached.

Ngoc Anh (according to Yonhap, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cac-tro-ly-cap-cao-cua-tong-thong-han-quoc-dong-loat-tu-chuc-post328550.html