Seoul: Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Wednesday issued an apology and offered his resignation following the public unrest stemming from President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law. The martial law, announced unexpectedly on Tuesday evening, was lifted shortly afterwards when the opposition-dominated National Assembly voted against it.According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim, who played a pivotal role in proposing martial law to President Yoon, expressed his willingness to resign, acknowledging the chaos caused by the emergency decree. He emphasized his accountability for the situation, stating that the troops involved were merely executing his orders. The military response included the establishment of a martial law command and the deployment of approximately 280 troops to the National Assembly premises.In his statement to the press, Kim reassured the public of the ministry's commitment to maintaining national defense and public safety. He acknowledged the lifting of martial law and the gradual return to normalcy but warned of the ongoing challenges in the domestic political and security landscape. Kim vowed that the defense ministry would continue to uphold its duties without disruption while addressing emerging issues.Kim's resignation offer came shortly before the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) introduced a motion to impeach him. The DP plans to present the motion during a parliamentary plenary session on Thursday, alongside an impeachment motion for President Yoon Suk Yeol, which was proposed earlier. According to legal requirements, an impeachment motion must be voted on within 24 to 72 hours after being reported to a plenary session.
- September 13, 2026
