"I apologise to the people for having to resign as I cannot continue to perform my duties under severe domestic and international economic conditions," Choi said, according to the Finance Ministry.
South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok resigned less than two hours before he was due to become the nation's stand-in leader, adding to the country's political uncertainty.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik confirmed Choi's resignation was accepted by Acting President Han Duck-soo after the opposition-led parliament attempted to vote on an impeachment motion against the finance minister before he took over from Han.
