Yoon apologizes for imposing martial law, vows no more such attempt

Yonhap, Philippine News Agency

Yoon made the remark in his first public appearance after he declared martial law Tuesday night and rescinded it six hours later after the National Assembly voted against it. (File photo: 윤석열/Facebook)

SEOUL – President Yoon Suk Yeol said Saturday he is “sincerely sorry” over causing public concerns for declaring martial law earlier this week.

He also pledged not to make another such attempt again.

“I am sincerely sorry and apologize to the people who must have been very surprised,” Yoon said in a televised public address, hours ahead of a parliamentary vote on an impeachment motion against him.

Yoon made the remark in his first public appearance after he declared martial law Tuesday night and rescinded it six hours later after the National Assembly voted against it.

He said he imposed martial law due to “desperation” as president but acknowledged the abrupt decision caused “concerns and inconvenience” to the people.

“I will not avoid legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration,” he said, vowing to leave all decisions, including his term, to his People Power Party to stabilize the nation.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly is poised to vote for an impeachment motion against Yoon Suk Yeol Saturday noon, according to the office of National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and five other minor opposition parties earlier submitted an impeachment motion, arguing Yoon’s martial law declaration constituted violations of the Constitution and other laws.

A two-thirds majority is required to pass the motion, which would need support from at least eight lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP).

On Friday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon called for the immediate suspension of Yoon’s presidential duties. However, the ruling party later decided to maintain its stance of blocking the impeachment motion.

If the motion is passed, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office.

If upheld by the court, Yoon would be the second president in South Korea’s history to be removed from office through impeachment after former president Park Geun-hye in 2017. (Yonhap)