South Korea’s Political Turmoil Deepens Amid Resignations

Senior aides to South Korea's suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol collectively offered their resignations on Wednesday, a day after acting President Choi Sang-mok approved the appointment of two new justices to the Constitutional Court.

The resignations included top secretaries such as Yoon’s chief of staff, policy chief, national security advisor, and special advisor on foreign affairs and security. In their statement, they reaffirmed their intent to leave, which had been announced earlier but not accepted, according to a presidential official who requested anonymity due to political sensitivities.

Despite stepping down, the aides are expected to support Acting President Choi Sang-mok as needed but will not participate in daily government operations, sources confirmed.

The appointments to the Constitutional Court filled two vacant seats, increasing the number of sitting justices to eight. This comes as the court deliberates Yoon’s impeachment, which requires at least six votes from the nine-member bench for a decision.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had served as acting president since December 14 following Yoon’s suspension, was impeached last Friday. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok subsequently assumed the acting presidency.

Adding to the political tension, a Seoul district court approved Yoon’s arrest on Tuesday, marking the first arrest of a sitting South Korean president. He is currently under investigation for his alleged role in recent political unrest.