S. Korean president apologizes for martial law as threat of impeachment looms

In a televised speech, Yoon Suk Yeol said he would face consequences for his actions and would not try to impose martial law again.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized Saturday for his attempt to impose martial law this week and bowed in a televised address to the nation, just hours before a planned impeachment vote.

Yoon said he would not seek to escape legal and political responsibility for his decision, which he said was born of desperation.

The speech was the embattled leader’s first public appearance since he rescinded the martial law order Wednesday morning, just six hours after its proclamation and after Parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree. .

“I am truly sorry and would like to sincerely apologize to the people who were shocked,” Yoon said.

“I leave it to my party to take measures to stabilize the political situation in the future, including on the question of my mandate,” he said.

South Korea’s ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon said after Yoon’s speech that the president was no longer able to carry out his public duties and his resignation was now inevitable.

On Friday, Han said Yoon posed a danger to the country and should be removed from power, increasing pressure on Yoon to resign, although members of his People Power Party (PPP) later reaffirmed their formal opposition to his dismissal.

A protester wearing a mask bearing the likeness of President Yoon Suk-yeol takes part in a demonstration in front of the National Assembly calling for the president’s resignation. (Photo by Ezra Acayan: Getty Images)

Lawmakers will vote Saturday on the main opposition Democratic Party’s motion to impeach Yoon.

Yoon shocked the nation Tuesday night when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called “anti-state forces” and defeat obstructionist political opponents.

Some PPP members urged Yoon to resign before the vote, saying they did not want a repeat of the 2016 impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye, who left office after months of protests by candlelight following an influence peddling scandal.

His fall triggered the implosion of the party and the victory of the liberals in the presidential and general elections.

In scenes reminiscent of those protests, thousands of candle-wielding demonstrators gathered outside Parliament on Friday evening to demand Yoon’s impeachment. More protests are expected on Saturday before the vote.

Prosecutors, police and the Senior Officials Corruption Investigation Bureau have all launched investigations against Yoon and senior officials involved in the martial law decree, seeking to pursue charges of insurrection and abuse of power. power, among other things.