South Korea’s Acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has pledged to focus on stabilising the country's state affairs amidst ongoing political uncertainty. This turbulence follows the controversial and brief imposition of martial law earlier this month, which has led to significant political upheaval.
Choi, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and the Finance Minister, assumed the role of acting President after the National Assembly suspended Han Duck-soo's duties earlier on the same day.
Han had stepped into the presidency just days earlier, replacing President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached for his mishandling of the martial law crisis. Han's suspension came less than two weeks after he assumed the position, adding to the instability of the political landscape.
In a written statement to the nation, Choi highlighted his government’s commitment to ensuring stability and minimizing the ongoing confusion surrounding state affairs.
“The government will do its best to ensure national stability,” Choi said, reinforcing his determination to restore order in these uncertain times.
Choi also took the opportunity to offer a public apology, acknowledging his role in the turmoil.
As a senior Cabinet member, Choi had been present at a Cabinet meeting held shortly before the declaration of martial law on December 3, an event that sparked widespread criticism. This has led to heightened pressure on him as he takes on his new interim leadership role.
One of Choi’s first actions as acting President was to reaffirm the strength of South Korea’s alliance with the United States.
During a phone call with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Choi underscored the importance of maintaining high military readiness, particularly in light of potential provocations from North Korea.
He called for South Korea’s security forces to be on high alert, ensuring that the country remains prepared to respond swiftly to any threats from the North.
“Readiness posture should be maintained to prevent North Korea from making any rash moves,” he said, emphasising the importance of a firm security stance supported by the South Korea-US alliance.
In addition to his military concerns, Choi instructed Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul to keep open communication channels with South Korea's international partners.
He assured the global community that South Korea’s foreign policy would remain unchanged and that the ongoing political challenges would not disrupt international trade or diplomatic relations.
This reassurance was an essential step in maintaining confidence in South Korea’s stability during this period of leadership uncertainty.
Choi’s government also sought to address domestic issues, including public safety and disaster response. He instructed the Acting Minister of the Interior and Safety to prioritise the maintenance of public order, while ensuring that the country’s disaster response systems are fully operational.
This instruction came as the country continues to face the challenges of winter, which brings additional risks such as severe weather conditions and health concerns.
In light of these potential challenges, Choi also directed Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong to implement emergency medical plans for the winter months.
His directive aimed to ensure that the country’s emergency medical systems remain effective and that the healthcare sector is prepared for increased demand during this period.
Later in the day, Choi convened a meeting of the National Security Council, further solidifying his focus on security and stability.
As acting President, Choi’s leadership will be tested not only by internal political challenges but also by the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which has voiced concerns over his administration’s actions.
The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, has called on Choi to expedite the appointment of three Constitutional Court justice nominees.
This request is related to Yoon’s impeachment trial, which remains a contentious issue in South Korean politics. The opposition’s demands reflect the tense political atmosphere, with the National Assembly pushing for a resolution to the impeachment matter.
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