South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has accepted the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and nominated Choi Byung-hyuk, the country’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a retired four-star general, as his replacement.

The decision follows intense public outrage after Kim reportedly proposed that President Yoon declare martial law on Tuesday night. This controversial proposal was swiftly reversed in the early hours of Wednesday after South Korea’s parliament voted against the move. The reversal saw troops, who had temporarily entered the National Assembly compound in Seoul, return to their barracks.

Choi, who served as deputy commander of the South Korea-United States Combined Forces Command from 2019 to 2020, is expected to take over as defense minister. President Yoon’s chief of staff, Chung Jin-suk, praised Choi as a capable leader who would strengthen South Korea’s military posture through its alliance with the United States.

The crisis has intensified political tensions, with the opposition Democratic Party labeling Yoon’s brief martial law declaration a “treasonous act.” Lawmakers from the party have introduced a motion to impeach the president, with a vote expected as early as Friday. However, Yoon’s party has vowed to block impeachment efforts, creating uncertainty about the process.

The turmoil comes amid broader regional concerns, as North Korea and Russia’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, signed in June, officially came into force on Wednesday. The agreement includes a mutual defense pact promising immediate military support in case of armed aggression against either country.

The unfolding crisis has drawn significant attention to South Korea’s political and security landscape, highlighting tensions within its leadership and increasing pressure on Yoon’s administration to navigate both domestic and regional challenges.