“Failing to Serve Public and President…”South Korea’s Interior Minister Resigns Amid Martial Law Controversy

South Korea’s Interior Minister, Lee Sang-min, announced his resignation on Sunday following the controversial declaration of martial law that has thrown the nation into chaos, according to local media reports.

In a statement to the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, Lee expressed his decision to step down “in grave recognition of responsibility for failing to serve the public and the president well.” President Yoon Suk Yeol has accepted Lee’s resignation, as both officials face scrutiny amid ongoing investigations into alleged insurrection related to the martial law declaration made on Tuesday.

President Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment in parliament on Saturday but was compelled to rescind the martial law order after lawmakers voted against his decree. The political fallout continues to escalate, with police arresting Kim Yong-hyun, the defense minister at the time of the martial law operation. Kim has already been placed under a travel ban as investigations proceed.

As the situation develops, the South Korean government grapples with the implications of the martial law declaration and the resulting political turmoil.