South Korea’s president Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignation of former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun, several media reported. Kim allegedly advised Yoon to declare martial law.

It marks the first resignation since a political crisis unfolded across the country after Yoon imposed a short-lived martial law.

Local media reported that the president named South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, as the new defence minister.

The decision comes at a time when Yoon’s own political future faces uncertainty, as opposition parties submitted a motion to impeach the president on Wednesday after the crisis that thrust the country into political turmoil raised questions about his ability to govern.