Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho said on the 2nd, 'The government must do its best to ensure stable national operations without any vacuum or confusion in governance.'
The Ministry of Education announced that the deputy prime minister made this statement while starting his duties as acting president and issued urgent instructions to all ministries and officials.
He also instructed the acting Minister of National Defense regarding security matters, saying, 'Please maintain the military's vigilance and readiness thoroughly, and prepare to respond quickly and decisively to all possible provocations.'
The deputy prime minister also urged the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to 'solidify the operational command structure and check and enhance the readiness of all military units to respond quickly and decisively in case of emergency.'
In addition, the deputy prime minister said to the Minister of Foreign Affairs regarding diplomatic matters, 'Please work closely with major allied countries to maintain international confidence in South Korea and ensure thorough responses to manage diplomatic issues.'
He asked the acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety regarding public safety and election management, saying, 'Please be thorough in maintaining social order and manage the security situation rigorously to prevent public anxiety.'
The deputy prime minister also stated, 'With the presidential election just over a month away, relevant departments and local governments must actively cooperate to ensure that the election is conducted fairly and in an orderly manner, providing all necessary support.' He added, 'All public officials must maintain strict work discipline and manage related matters rigorously to ensure that public employees maintain political neutrality concerning future elections.'
In the economic sector, the deputy prime minister asked the acting Minister of Economy and Finance, 'Please be thorough in preparing for the volatility of financial markets and minimizing economic uncertainties in light of the severe domestic and external economic conditions.'
Meanwhile, starting at midnight on this day, the deputy prime minister will assume the duties of acting president. Initially, the acting presidency was scheduled to be taken over by former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok from midnight on the 1st, following the resignation of acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. However, on the evening of the 1st, Choi's impeachment proposal was suddenly presented in a National Assembly plenary session, leading to his immediate resignation. Han Duck-soo, who was maintaining the acting presidency until midnight on the 1st, promptly accepted Choi's resignation.
The order of succession for cabinet members is according to the government organization law, which includes the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Unification.