In a significant political development, senior aides to South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol have offered to resign en masse following a political crisis.
The resignation offer, made on Wednesday, comes a day after the acting President Choi Sang-mok’s approval of two new judges to the Constitutional Court, which is set to decide Yoon’s fate.
Yoon’s chief of staff, policy chief, national security advisor, special advisor on foreign affairs, and all other senior secretaries tendered their resignations, according to a statement from Yoon’s office, although no further details were provided.
The aides had previously signaled their intent to step down following Yoon’s failed attempt to declare martial law on December 3.
However, their resignations were not accepted, with a presidential official revealing that they have been assisting Choi since he assumed the role of acting president. These aides do not participate in daily operations but attend meetings and report to Choi when required.
The latest resignation offer follows Choi’s surprise decision to approve the appointment of two new judges to the Constitutional Court, increasing the total number of justices to eight. With the case against Yoon being reviewed by the court, any ruling would require the agreement of at least six judges.
Yoon’s ruling People Power Party criticized Choi’s move as “dogmatic” and lacking sufficient consultation.
Finance Minister Choi assumed the role of acting president on Friday after the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been acting president since Dec. 14 when Yoon was suspended from power.
Yoon faces investigations on allegations that he led an insurrection, and a Seoul district court on Tuesday granted approval for his arrest, the first for a sitting president.
