Ankara: South Korea's Vice Premier and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok resigned late Thursday ahead of an impeachment motion in parliament, according to media reports. Choi announced his resignation minutes before the National Assembly was to vote on a motion to impeach him, Yonhap News Agency reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, Choi expressed regret over his inability to continue his duties amid significant economic challenges both internally and externally. He had also served as an acting president after the impeachment of former Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo in December, following the latter's refusal to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court.

In the latest impeachment proceedings, the opposition Democratic Party accused Choi of delaying the appointment of the ninth justice to the Constitutional Court, among other allegations during his tenure as acting president. Choi was expected to resume his role as acting president after Han Duck-soo's resignation earlier Thursday, which suggested his potential candidacy in the June 3 presidential election.

Han announced his resignation during a news conference in Seoul, expressing the weight of responsibility he felt at this critical time. He explained that after careful consideration, he concluded that his resignation was necessary.

South Korea is preparing for elections following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol from office due to a failed martial law attempt.