S.Korea: Assembly Speaker and Interior Minister respond to martial law

Seoul

South Korea’s political crisis deepened as National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declared that the joint exercise of presidential power by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon is a blatant violation of the Constitution. Woo’s comments came after Han Duck-soo and Han Dong-hoon vowed to manage the chaos surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration through an orderly exit. Woo, in an emergency press conference, emphasized that the transfer of presidential power must follow constitutional principles and the will of the people, adding that impeachment is the only legal means to suspend a president’s duties. He denounced the joint press briefing by the Prime Minister and ruling party leader as arrogant and reiterated the importance of following the constitutional process. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min resigned from his position on Sunday, following growing political pressure over the botched martial law declaration. The resignation came after the main opposition party proposed an impeachment motion against Lee, which is set to be voted on Tuesday. President Yoon accepted Lee’s resignation, but this move could attract further criticism, as it contradicts statements made by ruling party leaders about the President’s limited role in state affairs. Lee, one of President Yoon’s closest aides, had earlier defended the martial law during parliamentary sessions, claiming it adhered to constitutional processes. However, his resignation adds to the political turmoil surrounding the Yoon administration.