South Korean defense chief steps down after president’s martial law debacle



News South Korean defense chief steps down after president’s martial law debacle Kim Yong-hyun’s exit appears aimed at deflecting blame and leaves Yoon without a top official for North Korea policy Shreyas Reddy December 5, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Kim Yong-hyun flanked by U.S. and ROK generals during a visit to the Combined Forces Command. \| Image: ROK Ministry of National Defense via Facebook (Oct. 4, 2024) South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has accepted the resignation of his defense minister amid the continuing fallout from his short-lived imposition of martial law, an apparent attempt to deflect blame that also pushes out a top official who spearheaded Seoul’s hardline security policy toward North Korea. The president’s Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok announced during a press briefing on Thursday that Yoon had accepted Kim Yong-hyun’s resignation as defense chief and nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, Seoul’s current ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as his successor. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has accepted the resignation of his defense minister amid the continuing fallout from his short-lived imposition of martial law, an apparent attempt to deflect blame that also pushes out a top official who spearheaded Seoul’s hardline security policy toward North Korea. The president’s Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok announced during a press briefing on Thursday that Yoon had accepted Kim Yong-hyun’s resignation as defense chief and nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, Seoul’s current ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as his successor. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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South Korean defense chief steps down after president’s martial law debacle

Kim Yong-hyun’s exit appears aimed at deflecting blame and leaves Yoon without a top official for North Korea policy

Shreyas Reddy December 5, 2024

South Korean defense chief steps down after president’s martial law debacle

Kim Yong-hyun flanked by U.S. and ROK generals during a visit to the Combined Forces Command. | Image: ROK Ministry of National Defense via Facebook (Oct. 4, 2024)

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has accepted the resignation of his defense minister amid the continuing fallout from his short-lived imposition of martial law, an apparent attempt to deflect blame that also pushes out a top official who spearheaded Seoul’s hardline security policy toward North Korea.

The president’s Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok announced during a press briefing on Thursday that Yoon had accepted Kim Yong-hyun’s resignation as defense chief and nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, Seoul’s current ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as his successor.

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South Korean defense chief steps down after president’s martial law debacle

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