Defense chief offers resignation, but DP unsatisfied

President Yoon Suk Yeol reportedly has been reviewing a Cabinet reshuffle as early as this week, with the defense minister already having been named a possible candidate for replacement even before his resignation.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, right, enter a Cabinet meeting Tuesday at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul. Lee offered to resign amid the Democratic Party’s calls to impeach him over the military’s alleged handling of an investigation into the death of a Marine corporal. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup offered to resign Tuesday as the Democratic Party (DP) clamors for his dismissal for allegedly interfering in a military investigation into the death of a Marine corporal.

Lee made the decision to prevent a "security vacuum" in case the DP impeaches him over accusations that he intervened in a military investigation into the death of 21-year-old Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chae Su-geun, according to government officials.

Chae died after being swept away in a stream in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang, during a search for victims of monsoon flooding on July 19, sparking criticism that the military's rescue operations ignored proper safety measures.

When asked about the future of the defense minister post, the presidential office said it will refrain from comment until a final decision is made, without denying the resignation offer.

A senior presidential official told reporters Tuesday, "If an appointment is made, we will explain in detail why it was made, why the successor was chosen and what the policy direction will be."

The DP, holding a parliamentary majority, has been seeking to pass a motion to impeach Lee, accusing him of unfairly interfering with an initial probe into Chae's death and preventing the investigation from being transferred to the police.

DP Chairman Lee Jae-myung, in the midst of a hunger strike, said Monday, "Impeaching the defense minister is an order from the people."

Following Lee's resignation news Tuesday, the DP put the impeachment motion on hold for the time being to focus on getting him dismissed by President Yoon Suk Yeol instead.

Rep. Kim Han-kyu, a DP spokesman, said, "There should be a dismissal, not resignation," to hold Lee accountable.

He called Lee's resignation announcement a "cover-up operation to hide the true nature of external pressure" to avoid responsibility for the death, adding that this should mark the "beginning of uncovering the truth."

This comes as voices inside the party warn that a move to impeach Lee could ignite a public backlash if the defense minister's duties were suspended due to the impeachment motion, putting at risk national security.

Lee has also received flak for calling for the relocation of busts of late Korean freedom fighter Hong Beom-do, citing his communist affiliations, both from a military academy and the Defense Ministry headquarters.

President Yoon is expected to accept Lee's resignation, according to officials.

Similarly, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min underwent an impeachment motion process after the tragic Halloween crowd crush in Itaewon last October that killed 159 people.

This resulted in his suspension for 167 days until the Constitutional Court rejected the impeachment motion on July 25, promptly reinstating Lee as interior minister.

Yoon reportedly has been reviewing a Cabinet reshuffle as early as this week, with the defense minister already having been named a possible candidate for replacement even before his resignation offer.

Some other posts that may be replaced include the culture and gender equality ministers.

This comes as the Yoon administration, in its second year, appears to be refreshing its handle on state affairs ahead of next year's general elections.

People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Shin Won-sik, a retired Army lieutenant general, has been discussed as a likely next defense minister.

Gender Equality and Family Minister Kim Hyun-sook could also be replaced, especially given her much maligned mismanagement of the World Scout Jamboree in Saemangeum, North Jeolla, last month. Kim Haeng, a former PPP lawmaker and former presidential spokesperson, is being named as a possible gender minister candidate.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyoon could also be replaced, with veteran actor Yoo In-chon, a special presidential adviser for culture and sports, being mentioned as a possible replacement.

The vetting process has reportedly been completed for some ministerial candidates, with the president's final decision pending.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]