South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a formal apology on Saturday for his recent effort to impose martial law, expressing regret during a nationally televised address and bowing in remorse just hours prior to a forthcoming impeachment vote.
President Yoon affirmed his commitment to face both legal and political repercussions for his actions, which he characterized as a result of desperation.This appearance represented his first public engagement since he revoked the martial law order on Wednesday morning, merely six hours following its initial announcement.
The retraction occurred after South Korean lawmakers circumvented military and police barricades to cast their votes against the decree.
“I deeply apologise to the citizens who were alarmed,” Yoon said. “I entrust my party with the responsibility to stabilise the political landscape in the future, including deliberations on my tenure in office.”
In the aftermath of Yoon’s address, ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon proclaimed that the South Korean president was no longer capable of executing his responsibilities and that resignation had become inevitable.
On Friday, Han criticized Yoon as a threat to the nation, advocating for his removal from office. However, members of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) subsequently reaffirmed their formal opposition to the impeachment process.
Later on Saturday, it was anticipated that lawmakers would cast their votes on the Democratic Party’s motion to impeach Yoon. The president ignited widespread indignation on Tuesday by conferring extensive emergency powers to the military to combat what he termed “anti-state forces” and obstructive political adversaries.
Certain PPP members have since urged Yoon to resign voluntarily, hoping to avert a recurrence of the 2016 impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye.
Park’s ousting followed large-scale protests regarding an influence-peddling scandal, leading to the disintegration of the ruling party and a significant triumph for liberal factions in subsequent elections.
On Friday evening, thousands of demonstrators congregated outside the South Korean parliament with candles, demanding Yoon’s impeachment. Similar protests were anticipated on Saturday in advance of the parliamentary vote.
In parallel, prosecutors, police, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials have commenced investigations into Yoon and other senior officials implicated in the martial law decree. Potential charges under consideration include insurrection and abuse of power.
