Han Ducksoo and Choi Sangmok's Consecutive Resignations Cause Confusion as Government Recalls Diplomatic Note

Within just one day, the designated Acting President changed twice, causing confusion as the government distributed, then retracted, a diplomatic note it had intended to send to foreign missions in South Korea.

On May 1, 2025, a citizen is watching the live broadcast of Prime Minister and Acting President Han Ducksoo's national address in the waiting room of Seoul Station. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 2, former Acting President and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo expressed his intention to resign the previous day. In response, the ministry distributed a diplomatic note to each embassy stating that, as of midnight on May 2, Choi Sangmok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, would assume the role of Acting President. However, this note was retrieved late at night after Deputy Prime Minister Choi, who was expected to take over the acting presidency, suddenly resigned after 10 p.m. the previous night, rendering the content inaccurate.

The ministry explained that the note was a physical letter, distributed to the mailboxes of foreign missions installed within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since it was distributed around 7 p.m., after office hours, and retrieved later that night, it is unlikely that the incorrect information was actually delivered.

To prevent further confusion, the ministry separately notified foreign missions through another channel that, as of midnight, Lee Jooho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, would serve as Acting President. The same diplomatic note is scheduled to be redistributed during the morning of May 2. In addition, it was reported that the government sent an official letter to overseas missions instructing them to ensure strict discipline under the new acting leadership, maintain proper relations with host countries, and thoroughly prepare for overseas elections.