South Korea’s president apologizes for imposing martial law

Yoon Suk Yeol has told the nation that he will not avoid responsibility for his actions

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has said he is “deeply sorry” for briefly imposing martial law in the country and vowed not to do it again.
Yoon delivered his apology in a two-minute address to the nation on Saturday, which became his first public appearance since the crisis erupted in the country earlier this week.

"This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs,” he said.

The president acknowledged that his decision had “caused anxiety and inconvenience” to the South Korean people. “I am deeply sorry and sincerely apologize to the citizens, who must have been greatly shocked,” he stressed.

Yoon refuted speculations that he might try to impose martial law again, saying “there will absolutely be no second attempt at a constitutional amendment.”

With the parliament set to vote on his impeachment on Saturday, the head of state stressed that he “will not avoid legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration.”

“I will entrust my party with methods to stabilize the political situation, including the remainder of my term… I apologize to the citizens for the concerns I have caused,” Yoon concluded.

Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) had initially vowed to block the attempt to impeach the president. However, on Friday, the party’s leader, Han Dong-hoon, called for the president to be suspended immediately as him remaining in office put the country in “grave danger.” According to Han, he changed his stance after getting “credible evidence” that Yoon had ordered the arrest of key politicians amid the short-lived martial law.

On Saturday, PPP’s leader reiterated his stance, saying that “early resignation is inevitable” for the president due to it being impossible for him to carry out his normal duties anymore.

Late on Tuesday, Yoon delivered a surprise televised address, declaring emergency martial law in the country, on the grounds that the opposition – which he accused of being sympathetic towards North Korea – had allegedly been preparing a “rebellion.”

Within hours, 190 lawmakers, who managed to access the National Assembly despite military cordons, voted unanimously to lift the decree. Thousands of people took to the streets to condemn their president’s actions.

READ MORE: Coup attempt in South Korea: What was it all about?

Less than six hours after imposing martial law, Yoon announced that he had decided to retract his decision.