South Korean President Appoints New Defense Minister

(CLO) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and decided to appoint his ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, as the new Defense Minister.

The South Korean presidential office confirmed the nomination of Mr. Choi, a former army general, to the post. Mr. Yoon's chief of staff, Chung Jin-suk, called Mr. Choi "a person of principle who is dedicated to performing his duties and following the rules."

The recently resigned Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun is said to have advised Mr Yoon to declare martial law on Tuesday, which was lifted hours later when the South Korean National Assembly voted to rescind it.

Mr. Kim Yong-hyun has resigned as Minister of Defense of South Korea. Photo: Reuters

The nomination is Mr. Yoon's first official move after he declared the lifting of martial law early Wednesday morning, a move that shocked South Koreans and further increased political instability in the country.

Early Thursday, South Korea's National Assembly introduced a motion to impeach him for his failed attempt to impose martial law, but his party has said it opposes the move, making the process difficult.

The main opposition Democratic Party has called Mr. Yoon's attempt to impose martial law an “act of treason,” and party lawmakers are likely to lead a vote to impeach Mr. Yoon as early as Friday.

Officials from the United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, said they were taken completely by surprise by Mr Yoon's declaration of martial law, which Under Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said was a "grave mistake".

Bui Huy (according to Yonhap, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-han-quoc-bo-nhiem-bo-truong-quoc-phong-moi-sau-vu-thiet-quan-luat-post324215.html