On the night of the 1st, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, who was to oversee state affairs following Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, resigned. This was in response to the Democratic Party's unilateral decision to pass a motion for impeachment against Deputy Prime Minister Choi in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, as they intended to force it through in the plenary session.
This occurred after the Supreme Court overturned the ruling regarding Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, for violating the Public Official Election Act.
In the political arena, there are interpretations that the Democratic Party pushed forward with the impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister Choi as a reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling on candidate Lee Jae-myung, ultimately leading to his resignation. With the consecutive resignations of Prime Minister Han and Deputy Prime Minister Choi, the responsibility for state affairs will be taken over by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho, who is next in the protocol.
The Democratic Party's reckless impeachment efforts led to a significant leadership vacuum in state affairs. The loss of an economic commander to manage the increasingly uncertain South Korean economy due to trade pressures from Trump has raised concerns over whether the Ministry of Education can practically support Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho in overseeing state affairs.
◇ After the Supreme Court ruling, a meeting was held, and suddenly the 'impeachment motion against Choi Sang-mok'
Upon the Supreme Court's ruling in the afternoon that Lee Jae-myung's election law violation case was overturned on the grounds of guilt, the Democratic Party held an emergency meeting. Voices condemning the Supreme Court erupted during the meeting. In particular, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader Park Chan-dae reacted strongly, linking Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's actions with the Supreme Court's overturning, stating that "we must suppress this judicial coup."
During the ensuing closed-door meeting, it was claimed that this should be recognized as a 'full-scale war.' Centered around Supreme Council Member Kim Min-seok, opinions emerged advocating the impeachment of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok. No voices opposed Kim's assertion, it is said.
The atmosphere has changed from concerns over 'a backlash against mass impeachment' regarding the impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister Choi in February. The Democratic Party claimed that after Acting President Han Duck-soo was impeached for refusing to appoint constitutional judges, Deputy Prime Minister Choi appointed only 2 out of 3 candidates for constitutional judge, excluding candidate Ma Eun-hyeok, and stated that it was 'unconstitutional' and demanded that the impeachment motion be passed immediately.
However, as the impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was dismissed by the Constitutional Court, leading to the continued failure of the impeachment motions processed unilaterally, the Democratic Party has faced the stigma of being a 'party of impeachment overkill.' Following this, the push for an impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister Choi sank below the surface.
However, on this day, as the Supreme Court made the decision to 'overturn on grounds of guilt' regarding candidate Lee Jae-myung, the internal dynamics of the party swiftly changed. The Democratic Party proposed impeachment motions not only against Deputy Prime Minister Choi but also against Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung. The reason for the impeachment motion was undue interference in the investigation related to insurrection.
◇ As the impeachment motion was brought to the plenary session, Choi expressed his desire to resign… Han Duck-soo accepted it
When a 'motion to change the agenda' to vote on the impeachment motion against him was presented, Deputy Prime Minister Choi immediately expressed his intention to resign. The Ministry of Economy and Finance stated, 'Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok expressed his intention to resign at 22:28.'
The timing of Deputy Prime Minister Choi's resignation was just after he expressed gratitude on behalf of the government, saying, 'I appreciate that you deliberated and voted on the revised budget and 11 fund operation plan changes after the supplementary budget was passed in today's plenary session.'
Deputy Prime Minister Choi's resignation letter was processed around 10:42 a.m. The resignation was accepted by Acting President Han Duck-soo, who had expressed his intention to resign in the afternoon. Acting President Han will maintain his duties until midnight tonight. Deputy Prime Minister Choi stated regarding his resignation, 'In the current situation where the domestic and international economic conditions are severe, I regret that I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties.'
Deputy Prime Minister Choi's resignation was accepted during the impeachment vote in the plenary session. As a result, the impeachment motion against him became effectively meaningless due to the lack of a target. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik stated, 'We will suspend the vote as the target of impeachment has disappeared,' and proclaimed that 'the vote is invalid.'
Before the impeachment decree is sent to the Constitutional Court, it is possible for the individual to voluntarily resign or for the appointing authority to dismiss them. If the individual does not resign and is impeached, Deputy Prime Minister Choi would be suspended from duty until the Constitutional Court issues a decision. Given that it is practically impossible for the Constitutional Court's decision to come before the June 3 elections, there was no reason for Deputy Prime Minister Choi to hold onto his position. He presumably made the decision to resign considering the circumstances.
◇ Loss of economic leadership… Concerns about paralysis of executive function and role
With Deputy Prime Minister Choi resigning in protest against the push for impeachment, a void in economic leadership has emerged. There is no commander to lead trade discussions with the United States or a manager to secure industrial competitiveness and manage risks related to exchange rates and prices. Concerns have been raised regarding the dysfunctional operation of state affairs.
There are even observations that the functions and roles of the executive branch may become paralyzed. This is primarily due to the significant limitations expected in practical discussions among ministries if Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho takes control of national affairs.
It is observed within the government that it would be practically impossible for the Ministry of Education, which has fewer opportunities for collaboration with other ministries, to lead the adjustment of state affairs. The Ministry of Economy and Finance has continuously engaged in budget discussions with each ministry and has the experience of performing policy coordination, but the Ministry of Education does not have such experience.
Within the People Power Party, criticisms have emerged that there is no justification for the impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister Choi, claiming it is merely a 'reactionary strike' against the Supreme Court's overturning of candidate Lee Jae-myung's case. Floor Leader Kweon Seong-dong stated to reporters at the National Assembly, 'I cannot comprehend what reason there could possibly be for impeachment,' adding, 'The people's lives are tough, the economy is difficult, and we need to continue negotiating trade with the United States; what benefit can the people and Korea gain by impeaching the deputy prime minister, the economic leader?'