South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol apologises for martial law declaration
Getty ImagesSouth Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol apologized for declaring martial law earlier this week and said he would not issue such an order again.
The embattled leader faces potential impeachment after Tuesday night’s statement, which was quickly overturned in the National Assembly.
In response to the president’s speech, the leader of the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) told reporters that it was no longer possible for Yin to continue to perform his normal duties.
Han Dongxun said: “His early resignation is inevitable.”
“I am very sorry and sincerely apologize to the people who were shocked,” Yoon said in a brief televised address.
There was speculation that he would use his address to the nation – his first since declaring martial law – to resign, but instead he said he would entrust the job of stabilizing the situation to the ruling party.
He also made no mention of impeachment.
The opposition is pushing for a vote on Saturday on a motion to impeach Yoon. The motion requires the votes of at least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s party to pass with a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat parliament.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said he was disappointed with President Yoon’s comments on Friday, which only added to public anger and sense of betrayal.
Lee added that he would do his best to oust the president.
South Korea was plunged into political turmoil late Tuesday night when Yoon Eun-hye issued a shocking declaration of martial law.
He cited threats from “anti-national forces” and North Korea. However, it soon became apparent that his actions were motivated not by external threats but by his own domestic political troubles.
Some lawmakers jumped barricades and fences and bypassed security forces in order to convene a session in parliament and repeal Yin’s decree.
Six hours later, Yoon withdrew the statement after lawmakers voted against it, but there were fears he would try to enact a second decree. Some lawmakers have been staying close to the National Assembly to ensure they are ready to repeal the bill.
Before trying to bring the country under military rule, Yoon had been dogged by low approval ratings, corruption allegations and an opposition-led legislature that reduced him to a lame-duck leader.
