S. Korea’s Presidential Secretary Steps Down

(MENAFN) South Korea’s presidential secretary for national integration, Kang Jun-wook, stepped down Tuesday after backlash over his defense of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s aborted martial law attempt last December, media reported.

Appointed by President Lee Jae Myung in mid-July to spearhead policies aimed at social cohesion, Kang faced mounting calls to resign due to past contentious remarks.

In a book released in March, Kang portrayed Yoon’s martial law move as an outlet for frustration caused by political deadlock and accused critics of framing it as rebellion to manipulate public opinion.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung acknowledged public discontent, confirming President Lee accepted Kang’s resignation.

“There was strong public criticism that his actions did not align with the governing philosophy and principles of the administration,” she stated to reporters.

“In response, Kang expressed his intention to take responsibility for his missteps and sincerely apologize to the public by voluntarily stepping down,” she added.

Kang indicated his successor would be chosen from conservative leaders aligned with the administration’s vision for national unity.

In a separate development, former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been booked on suspicion of providing false testimony related to Yoon’s failed martial law bid, media cited legal sources on Tuesday.

Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk’s investigation team suspects Han misled both the Constitutional Court and National Assembly during his testimony. Han asserted he did not see the printed martial law order until after it was rescinded, later claiming to find a copy in his pocket.

However, security footage reportedly shows Han removing documents from the Cabinet meeting room, where he was present alongside other Cabinet members summoned by Yoon before martial law was declared.

Han is also suspected of aiding in the creation of a falsified document intended to justify the order. Prosecutors may pursue his arrest pending the ongoing inquiry.

These developments follow former President Yoon’s plea to reporters Monday, urging that he be "the only one persecuted by this nonsensical political oppression," according to a news agency

"I ask that an immediate halt be put to an unjust persecution tarnishing the honor and destroying the lives of those who have devoted themselves to the nation and its people," Yoon said.

He defended his martial law declaration, citing concerns that South Korea’s “liberal democracy and constitutional order were in grave danger."

“Whether my judgment was correct, and whether the declaration of martial law was the right decision, is ultimately for history to decide,” he added.

Yoon faces fresh abuse of authority charges tied to the martial law imposition and was indicted last Saturday, following his detention earlier this month.

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