South Korea's Acting Prez Holds Firm Amid Political Storm 🌪️
In a surprising move, Choi Sang-mok, South Korea's acting president and minister of economy and finance, has decided not to accept the resignation letters from his senior presidential aides. 📝🚫
Choi, who is also the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, believes that now is the time to focus on stabilizing the nation's livelihood and state affairs, rather than reshuffling the leadership team. \"We need all hands on deck 🛳️,\" his office stated on Wednesday.
The group of senior aides offering their resignations includes key figures like the presidential chief of staff, the top national security adviser, the chief of staff for policy, and the special adviser for foreign and security affairs. Talk about drama! 🎭
Their resignation offers came just a day after Choi appointed two new constitutional court justices to fill vacancies in the nine-member bench overseeing President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial. The newly appointed justices started their duties earlier today, potentially tipping the scales in favor of upholding Yoon's impeachment. ⚖️
For President Yoon to be officially removed from office, at least six out of the nine constitutional court justices must uphold the impeachment. The political stakes are high, and the tension is palpable! 😱
The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on December 14, and the constitutional court has up to 180 days to deliberate. During this period, Yoon's presidential powers are suspended, leaving Choi at the helm. ⏳
Yoon's troubles began when he was named a suspect in an insurrection charge after he declared emergency martial law on the night of December 3—a move that was swiftly revoked by the National Assembly just hours later. 🚨
As the nation watches this political rollercoaster 🎢 unfold, all eyes are on Choi and his next moves. Will stability prevail, or are there more twists ahead? Stay tuned! 📺
Reference(s):
ROK interim leader refuses to accept presidential aides' resignations
cgtn.com
