"All Cabinet Members" Resign... Han Deok-su "Deeply Responsible"

Cabinet Resignation Management... Korean Prime Minister "Please Fulfill Your Duties"

The 'martial law situation' declared by President Yoon Seok-yeol ended after six hours, but the aftermath is intense. Following the collective resignation of senior aides in the presidential office, all members of the Cabinet also tendered their resignations. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo expressed a sense of responsibility but urged them to fulfill their duties, initiating efforts to manage the 'total cabinet resignation.'

On the afternoon of the 4th, Prime Minister Han addressed the public with a message titled "A Message to the People," stating, "I understand that the public's anxiety is great," and "As the Prime Minister overseeing the Cabinet, I deeply feel responsible for all the processes that led to the current situation." This was the first official message from a senior government official following the martial law incident.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Prime Minister Han attended the Cabinet meeting convened by President Yoon the previous night before the declaration of martial law and presided over the Cabinet meeting at dawn that resolved to lift the martial law as requested by the National Assembly. He said, "Even after this time, the Cabinet, together with all public officials in every department, should fulfill their duties to ensure the nation's security and the daily lives of the people remain unwavering," and added, "Until the last moment, I will unite with the Cabinet members to serve the people."

Earlier, it was reported that all Cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Han that morning. Excluding the President and Prime Minister, there are 19 Cabinet members in the current administration. Given the timing of this news, it is interpreted as an effort to manage the paralysis of state affairs caused by the 'total cabinet resignation.'

The presidential office also saw the collective resignation of three chiefs?Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok, National Security Office Director Shin Won-sik, and Policy Office Director Sung Tae-yoon?along with senior aides at the level of senior secretaries or higher that morning. However, since the presidential office's functions would be paralyzed if these aides temporarily resign, it remains uncertain whether President Yoon will accept their resignations.

Meanwhile, around 2 p.m. on the same day, Prime Minister Han is scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting at the Samcheong-dong official residence with presidential aides and ruling party leaders to discuss responses to the martial law situation.