SEOUL: Senior aides to impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, including his chief of staff, have tendered their resignations following the appointment of key justices by acting President Choi Sang-mok. This development comes amid heightened political tensions as South Korea navigates a leadership crisis.

According to Yonhap News Agency, those who have offered to resign include Chung Jin-suk, the presidential chief of staff; National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik; Sung Tae-yoon, chief of staff for policy; and Chang Ho-jin, foreign policy adviser to Yoon. The resignations were tendered a day after Choi appointed two justices to the Constitutional Court, an action criticized by Yoon's office as an overreach of authority by an interim leader.

The appointments by Choi partially satisfied the opposition's demand to fill vacancies on the nine-member bench ahead of a court ruling on Yoon's impeachment. The court requires at least six votes to uphold an impeachment motion, suggesting these appointments could influence the outcome of Yoon's case. The Constitutional Court has up to six months to deliver its decision on whether to remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.

Choi, who also serves as deputy prime minister for economic affairs and finance minister, reportedly has no intention of accepting the resignations of Yoon's aides. The finance ministry conveyed that Choi believes the focus should be on stabilizing the country's affairs and economy rather than accepting the resignations.

Yoon, who was impeached by the National Assembly last month, is currently facing a criminal investigation linked to a failed martial law declaration on December 3. In a historic move, a Seoul court recently issued a warrant for Yoon's detention, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has faced arrest. He is suspected of orchestrating the martial law declaration, insurrection, and abuse of power.

In a related move, Kim Tae-kyu, acting chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, also offered to resign in protest against the judicial appointments. Kim has been leading the communications watchdog since Chairperson Lee Jin-sook was impeached in August.