[Breaking] Acting President Han Approves Resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sangmok

Choi Sangmok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance, is attending the comprehensive policy questioning session on the supplementary budget review at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts on April 29, 2025, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On May 1, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo approved the resignation of Choi Sangmok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance.

In a message to the media on the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Choi stated, "I am sorry to the people for resigning at a time when I am unable to continue my duties under such severe domestic and international economic conditions."

After the Democratic Party of Korea submitted an impeachment motion against him at the National Assembly plenary session on this day, Deputy Prime Minister Choi tendered his resignation to Acting President Han at 10:28 p.m., and Han approved it at 10:44 p.m.

Prime Minister Han, who had already announced his intention to resign, will continue to serve as acting president until midnight on this day, and until then, Han legally remains the acting president.

Originally, with Han's resignation, Deputy Prime Minister Choi was scheduled to serve as acting president starting at midnight on May 2. However, with Choi's resignation as well, Lee Juhou, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, will now serve as acting president.