South Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok resigned on May 1, 2025, just as parliament moved to vote on his impeachment, plunging the nation deeper into political chaos. With Acting President Han Duck-soo also stepping down, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho is now tasked with leading the country toward a critical June 3 presidential election.
Choi’s Resignation Halts Impeachment Vote
Choi Sang-mok, who was set to assume the acting presidency at midnight on May 1, 2025, tendered his resignation at 10:28 p.m., hours after opposition MPs, led by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), introduced an impeachment motion against him. The Korea Herald reported that National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik suspended the impeachment vote upon notification of Choi’s resignation, which was accepted by Han Duck-soo. Choi Sang-mok resignation marks another twist in South Korea’s ongoing political saga.
Choi apologized for stepping down amid “grave economic circumstances,” citing challenges like global trade tensions and domestic market instability, according to a finance ministry statement. His resignation came shortly after the Supreme Court overturned a ruling that had cleared DPK leader Lee Jae-myung of election law violations, casting doubt on the opposition’s presidential frontrunner and prompting the DPK’s retaliatory impeachment push.
Political Turmoil and Leadership Transitions
The resignation of Choi, who had served as acting president from December 2024 to March 2025 after Han Duck-soo’s impeachment, adds to South Korea’s political uncertainty following former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law declaration in December 2024. Han, reinstated in March 2025 after the Constitutional Court overturned his impeachment, resigned on May 1 to launch a presidential bid for the June 3 election, as reported by Bloomberg. With Choi’s exit, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho now assumes the acting presidency, tasked with overseeing the electoral process. Lee Ju-ho faces a daunting challenge.
The DPK’s impeachment motion against Choi, filed on March 21, 2025, accused him of abetting Yoon’s martial law, obstructing Yoon’s arrest, and refusing to appoint Constitutional Court justices, including Ma Eun-hyuk, despite parliamentary approval. The motion reached the National Assembly plenary on April 2, but Choi’s resignation preempted a vote that could have suspended him with a simple majority, as he was a cabinet minister, not a president requiring a two-thirds majority.
Gyeongbokgung Palace: A Symbol of Resilience
Amid South Korea’s political upheaval, its historical resilience shines through in Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 as the heart of the Joseon Dynasty. Largely destroyed during Japanese occupation, its ongoing restoration reflects South Korea’s determination to rebuild, much like its efforts to stabilize governance after the current crisis.
Economic and Political Stakes
Choi’s tenure as finance minister and acting president was marked by efforts to stabilize markets rattled by political turmoil. He led the “F4” financial authorities group, pledged “unlimited liquidity,” and engaged with global finance leaders like US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to reassure investors. However, the South Korean won hit its lowest level since March 2009, and Choi missed a G20 finance ministers’ meeting in February due to his multiple roles, raising concerns about a leadership vacuum. Posts on X described the situation as “total power chaos,” with some noting Choi’s apology for not continuing his duties amid economic challenges. political crisis continues to grip the nation.
The transition to Lee Ju-ho as acting president, the third in five months, underscores the fragility of South Korea’s leadership. Lee Jae-myung’s uncertain eligibility, Han’s presidential bid, and the DPK’s aggressive impeachment strategy against 29 Yoon administration officials since 2022 signal a contentious path to the June 3 election. The Constitutional Court, with only eight justices and looming vacancies, faces pressure to resolve pending impeachment cases, including Choi’s, within 180 days from April 2.
A Nation in Flux
South Korea’s political landscape remains volatile as Lee Ju-ho steps into the acting presidency. The DPK’s impeachment push, perceived by critics like People Power Party’s Kweon Seong-dong as “terrorism that vandalizes state affairs,” reflects deep partisan divides. With the June 3 election approaching, the nation faces critical questions about economic stability, democratic governance, and international credibility. South Korea impeachment dynamics will shape its future.