South Korean President Names New Defense Minister Amid Political Turmoil

Yoon accepted the resignation of Kim Yong-hyun, the outgoing defense minister.
South Korean President Names New Defense Minister Amid Political Turmoil
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech during his briefing on state affairs at a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 29, 2024. Chung Sung-Jun/Pool via Reuters
|Updated:
0:00

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has named Choi Byung-hyuk, the country’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a former army general, as his new defense minister after a declaration of martial law.

Yoon accepted the resignation of Kim Yong-hyun, the outgoing defense minister. Kim resigned after reports claimed that he advised Yoon to declare martial law on Dec. 3.