Resignation Accepted 15 Minutes Later… Impeachment Motion Automatically Disposed
On the night of the 1st, the National Assembly presented an impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok and began voting. However, the voting was suspended when Choi’s resignation was accepted, and the impeachment motion was automatically disposed of.
During the National Assembly session, Speaker Woo Won-sik unexpectedly declared a halt to the voting while the anonymous voting on the impeachment motion was underway.
Speaker Woo stated, "A moment ago, in accordance with Article 119 of the National Assembly Act, we were notified by the government of Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok's resignation. Since there is no longer a subject for impeachment, we will immediately suspend the vote."
He then announced, "It is declared that the voting on this agenda is invalid, and therefore we will not open the ballot box or the voting box."
Timing of Resignation: 4 Minutes Before Impeachment Presentation… Acceptance of Resignation 15 Minutes Later
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok officially expressed his resignation through the Ministry of Economy and Finance at around 10:28 PM that evening, just 4 minutes before Speaker Woo declared the presentation of the impeachment motion.
About 15 minutes later, at 10:43 PM, Acting President Han Duck-soo, who is also the Prime Minister, accepted Choi’s resignation.
As a result, the condition of being a "public official in office," which was a prerequisite for the impeachment motion, was no longer met, and the National Assembly lost its legal basis to continue the voting.
Article 119 of the National Assembly Act stipulates that when the National Assembly is notified by the government of a person's dismissal, the corresponding impeachment motion is considered automatically disposed of. Speaker Woo declared the suspension of the vote and the conclusion of the agenda based on this.
Deputy Prime Minister "A Serious Time, Feeling Responsible"… Intent to Minimize Political Burden
Immediately after the acceptance of his resignation, Deputy Prime Minister Choi released a statement through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, expressing, "Despite the very serious domestic and international economic conditions, I apologize to the people for being unable to continue to fulfill my duties."
Politically, Choi’s resignation is interpreted as an intention to avoid facing the political burden of impeachment head-on and to prevent political turmoil and disputes by resigning early.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s resignation is also expected to be accepted at midnight on the same day, with the acting presidency automatically succeeding to Lee Joo-ho, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Education.
Image sources: Photos=Ministry of Economy and Finance, Photos=Prime Minister’s Office, News1
