South Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok Becomes Acting President

South Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok Becomes Acting President

South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok took over as acting president after the National Assembly impeached interim President Han Duk-soo in a plenary session on Friday.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Saturday that Choi had taken over as acting president following Han’s impeachment.

Choi was quoted as saying that the government would do its best to ‘stabilise state affairs’ at a time of ‘political turmoil’ caused by the failed martial law attempt.

Prime Minister Han Duc Suu took over as acting president on 14 December after parliament voted to impeach President Yun Sok-yol for his failed attempt to impose martial law.

On 3 December, Yol declared nationwide martial law to ‘eliminate pro-North Korean forces and maintain freedom and constitutional order in the country’, accusing the opposition of anti-state activities.

Following the declaration, the National Assembly held an emergency session and voted to lift martial law.