South Korea's acting president calls for national harmony and unity

31/12/2024 15:21

South Korean Acting President Choi Sang-mok called for national harmony and unity and for trust in the government in a New Year's address on Tuesday, amid an unprecedented political crisis sparked by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration.



Choi said in a written statement,"The Republic of Korea is in an unprecedentedly serious situation," citing changes around global trade, diplomacy and security, as well as domestic political uncertainty.



Choi said, "The government will do its best to run state affairs stably in all areas of defence, diplomacy, economy and society for the people to feel relieved."

Choi, the country's finance minister, became acting leader on Friday night after the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been acting president since Yoon was impeached and suspended from power on Dec. 14 following his attempt to impose martial law on Dec. 3.



Assuming multiple roles as acting president, acting prime minister, deputy prime minister for economic affairs and finance minister, Choi has also been leading the minister-level central disaster control team since the deadliest plane crash in the country on Sunday that killed 179 people.