Prime minister orders Cabinet to fulfill duties amid mass resignation speculation

Home > National > Politics

Prime minister orders Cabinet to fulfill duties amid mass resignation speculation

Published: 04 Dec. 2024, 14:05 Updated: 04 Dec. 2024, 18:03

LEE SOO-JUNG
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, center, leaves a chamber where a Cabinet meeting was held on Wednesday at the government complex in central Seoul. [NEWS1]

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on Wednesday that he bears some responsibility regarding the situation surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law as the head of the Cabinet.

In a statement delivered to reporters, Han asked "all Cabinet members and government officials to fulfill their duties and responsibilities for the well-being of the nation and to protect the public without any trouble.”

He also stated that he will join hands with his Cabinet members "to serve the people with them until the last minute."

It remains to be seen, however, if all ministers will remain in their posts as some stated their intention to resign.

According to local media reports, all Cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, expressed their will to resign.

On Wednesday afternoon, the JoongAng Ilbo reported that Prime Minister Han objected to imposing martial law during a Cabinet meeting held from around 9 p.m. to 9: 40 p.m. on Tuesday, prior to the presidential declaration, which happened an hour later.

The report said Han objected to Yoon's plan after being informed at around 8 p.m., citing a possible economic downturn such as exchange rate destabilization and external market credibility.

According to the report, the Cabinet meeting, which gives procedural legitimacy to a martial law declaration, convened when ministers arrived at a meeting room in the Yongsan presidential office. Han was in attendance along with Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho, Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong, Food Minister Song Mi-ryung and Oh Young-ju, minister of SMEs and Startups.

Finance Minister Choi and Foreign Minister Cho also reportedly stated their opposition to Yoon's plan, saying the measure will put "the economy and diplomacy in difficult position." The report also said there were not any ministers who actively endorsed the plan proposed by Yoon — who eventually imposed martial law using his presidential authority.

Updated, Dec. 4: Added information about Cabinet meeting.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [[email protected]]