"South Korea Acting Deputy Prime Minister Han Resigns, Succeeded by Lee Ju-ho in Unprecedented Move"

# South Korea Faces Unprecedented Leadership Change Amid High-Level Resignations SEOUL—Amidst significant political upheaval, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo approved the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok late Tuesday evening. This decision introduces Education Minister Lee Ju-ho as the new acting president, effective midnight, November 2. This leadership reshuffle follows a historic wave of resignations, challenging South Korea's government stability just five weeks before the June 3 presidential election. # Choi Sang-mok Steps Down Following Impeachment Motion Choi resigned after the National Assembly, led by the opposition Democratic Party, filed an impeachment motion against him at 10:30 p.m. on November 1. Prime Minister Han accepted Choi’s resignation at the Government Complex Seoul later that evening. Initially, Choi was to assume the role of acting president after Han's resignation. However, his departure caused a sudden leadership shift, positioning Education Minister Lee Ju-ho, fourth in the Cabinet hierarchy, as acting president until the early June election. # Procedural Details of the Resignations Han's resignation underwent formal processing by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Personnel Management before final approval. Additionally, Han’s close aides, such as Public Relations Chief Kim Soo-hye and Civil Society Director Shin Jeong-in, are anticipated to resign similarly. Han announced his resignation publicly earlier in the day, officially ending his term at midnight on November 1. # Constitutional Debate Over Cabinet Composition The abrupt leadership transition has placed South Korea in an unprecedented “acting-of-acting-of-acting president” scenario, sparking constitutional compliance debates regarding the National Assembly and the Cabinet’s operations. According to the South Korean Constitution, the Cabinet must have between 15 and 30 ministers. Choi’s resignation reduces the number to 14 sitting ministers, initially raising concerns about Cabinet meeting validity. However, government officials cite an interpretation from the Ministry of Government Legislation, stating the required number pertains to authorized positions, not current incumbents. With 19 Cabinet positions legally authorized, the government argues there’s no constitutional crisis. Nonetheless, some contend the count should reflect the number of serving individuals, potentially leading to ongoing legal and political disputes. # A Call for Stability in Turbulent Times Before stepping down, Han led a National Security Council meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, evaluating foreign policy and security matters to ensure a smooth transfer of military command to his successor. Han urged Lee to maintain effective governance to prevent disruptions during the transition. Despite the government's assurance that political uncertainty won't destabilize state operations, the task of managing critical national and international issues under an unusual leadership structure underscores the current situation's fragility. As South Korea navigates these constitutional and procedural challenges, questions about the effectiveness and resilience of its governance framework linger in the coming weeks.