South Korean Interior Minister resigns, sparking new controversy.

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

Lee resigned after facing impeachment proceedings initiated by South Korea's opposition party.

Yonhap News Agency reported on December 8th that South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min submitted his resignation amid political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial declaration of martial law.

The South Korean Interior Ministry said President Yoon has accepted Lee's resignation. Lee, one of President Yoon's close aides, submitted his resignation after facing impeachment proceedings from the opposition Democratic Party.

During a parliamentary committee meeting following the lifting of martial law, Lee appeared to defend Yoon, stating that the president had imposed martial law while adhering to constitutional and legal procedures.

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

Last February, Lee was suspended from his post after the opposition-controlled South Korean National Assembly passed impeachment proceedings against him following the 2022 Halloween stampede in Seoul's Itaewon district that killed 159 people.

In July, the South Korean Constitutional Court decided to reinstate Lee.

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

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

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

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