President Yoon accepts Minister Kim Yong-hyeon’s resignation
Requests for dismissal arose even within the ruling party but were not accepted
Choi Byung-hyuk appointed as successor, “Can speak frankly to superiors”,
Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok giving a personnel briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 5th. Yonhap News
On December 5, President Yoon Suk-yeol accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyeon, who had proposed martial law, and appointed Choi Byung-hyuk, the special envoy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as his successor.
Despite calls from within the ruling party for Kim’s dismissal, President Yoon concluded the matter by approving the resignation.
Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok stated in a briefing at the Yongsan presidential office that “today, the president accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyeon and nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, the ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as the new ministerial candidate.”
Jeong described nominee Choi as “a retired Army general with extensive insights in defense and security, as well as rich field experience as an operations expert across various front-line positions.”
He further explained, “Choi is known for his principled approach, completing missions with a dedicated attitude while adhering to regulations. He is also respected within the military for his readiness to offer candid advice to superiors.”
Jeong added, “With his broad experience and high insights in defense and security, he is considered the right person to faithfully perform the essential military duties, maintaining a solid military defense posture based on the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance.”
Previously known to have suggested martial law to President Yoon, Minister Kim expressed his intention to resign the day before, taking responsibility for the situation. Kim was reported to be a year senior to President Yoon at Choongam High School and was involved in leading the martial law proposal.
Jeong did not comment on President Yoon’s martial law declaration and subsequent lifting over December 3-4 during the briefing.