South Korean Interior Minister Resigns and New Controversies

South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min resigned and was approved by President Yoon Suk Yeol, despite the ruling party's earlier announcement that Yoon would suspend his presidential duties.

Mr. Lee resigned after being impeached by the South Korean opposition party.

Yonhap news agency reported on December 8 that South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min submitted his resignation amid political turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared controversial martial law.

South Korea's Interior Ministry said President Yoon has accepted Mr. Lee's resignation. Mr. Lee, one of President Yoon's close aides, submitted his resignation after the opposition Democratic Party proposed impeachment.

During a parliamentary committee session after the lifting of martial law, Mr. Lee appeared to defend Mr. Yoon, saying that the president declared martial law while following constitutional and legal procedures.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yoon's acceptance of the resignation could draw further criticism as it is seen as an exercise of presidential power, contrary to the ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader's earlier statement that he would no longer participate in running state affairs until he leaves "early and in an orderly manner."

In February last year, Mr. Lee was suspended after South Korea's opposition-controlled National Assembly passed a motion to impeach him, following the 2022 Halloween stampede in Seoul's Itaewon district that killed 159 people.

In July, the Constitutional Court of South Korea decided to reinstate Mr. Lee.

In another development, South Korean opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on December 8 accused the PPP and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of "destroying constitutional order" after the PPP and Mr. Han announced that they would jointly manage state affairs.

Mr. Lee criticized the PPP and accused the party of "complicitly" abetting the president's actions in declaring martial law.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Han and PPP leader Han Dong-hoon held a joint press conference, announcing that Yoon would not participate in state affairs, including diplomacy, even before his departure. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han will take charge until Yoon steps down.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-truong-noi-vu-han-quoc-tu-chuc-va-nhieu-tranh-cai-moi-185241208161759379.htm