Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, vowed the stable management of state affairs on Friday after becoming a new acting president following the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Acting president Choi Sang-mok, also deputy prime minister for economic affairs and minister of economy and finance, presides overs a meeting in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 27, 2024. (NEWSIS via Xinhua)

Choi said in a statement that it would be of utmost significance to minimize the confusion of state affairs, pledging to do his best to stabilize the management.

The acting president stressed the importance of solid security, unshakable economy and stable public order, saying he felt heavy responsibility for the current situation.

He instructed civil servants to fulfill responsibilities in their respective positions without negligence to overcome the current difficulties.

The motion to impeach Han was passed in the National Assembly earlier in the day as Han, who had served as an acting president following President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, refrained from appointing three constitutional court justices who will fill vacancies on the nine-member bench for Yoon's impeachment trial.

It was the first time in the country's modern history that an impeachment motion against an acting president was put to a vote and passed in the National Assembly.

The impeachment motion against Yoon was passed in the National Assembly on Dec. 14 and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended.

Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on insurrection charge, declared an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3, but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.

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