Choi Sang-mok: "I will step down immediately once economic management is completed" (Update)

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Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated, "I will step down from my position as soon as I complete the responsibility of managing our economy as stably as possible, without clinging to the post."

Deputy Prime Minister Choi made this remark on the afternoon of the 17th during an emergency inquiry at the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee (PFC). He opened by saying, as if determined, "Before addressing personnel matters, I would like to say a few words," and continued, "That night, I strongly opposed martial law and decided to resign, and I still hold the same view." He was referring to the late afternoon when the Cabinet meeting was convened during the December 3 martial law incident. He attended the Cabinet meeting just before the declaration of martial law and has been criticized by the opposition parties.

Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance, is speaking at the plenary meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Deputy Prime Minister Choi said, "I deeply feel responsible for failing to prevent the current situation." As a Cabinet member, he was unable to stop the declaration of martial law, and as a result, political turmoil continued, including the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol in the National Assembly, which is interpreted as him feeling a sense of responsibility. At the same time, he said, "There is also a weight to the fact that if my personal decision on my position is reported by foreign media, it could negatively affect credibility."

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