South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol accepted the resignation of his defence minister on Thursday, as his fate remains uncertain ahead of an impeachment vote expected in the next day or two, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim Yong Hyun, the now-former defence minister, resigned on Wednesday following a botched attempt by Mr Yoon to put the country under martial law.

Mr Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday, but it was lifted a few hours later, early Wednesday morning, in the face of massive political resistance and protests.

Mr Kim, a former head of the Presidential Security Service and close aide to Yoon, was inaugurated as defence minister in September.

The defence ministry in Seoul confirmed that Mr Kim proposed martial law to Mr Yoon, Yonhap reported.

According to Yonhap, the finance, education, and justice ministers are planning to step down from their posts and take responsibility for Yoon’s actions.

South Korean lawmakers have submitted a motion to impeach Mr Yoon in the wake of the turmoil. The motion in the National Assembly could be voted on either Friday or Saturday.

The largest opposition party had previously accused the conservative head of state of breaching the constitution and called for his resignation immediately.

(dpa/NAN)