South Korean president apologizes for declaring martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday apologized for his brief declaration of martial law earlier in the week, as he now prepares for a parliamentary vote on whether to impeach him.

Yoon said in a televised speech Saturday morning that he would shirk any legal or political responsibility for the declaration and vowed not to make another attempt to impose it, according to The Associated Press. The president, a conservative, said he would leave it to his party to propose a way forward in the country's political turmoil, “including on issues related to my mandate.”

“The declaration of martial law was born out of my desperation,” Yoon said. “But in the course of its implementation it caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I am very sorry for this and I sincerely apologize to the people who must have been very shocked.”

In his declaration on martial law on Tuesday, Yoon called Parliament a “den of criminals” blocking state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea supporters and anti-state forces.” .

SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT WILL FACE DEMPACHMENT VOTE THIS WEEKEND OVER MARTIAL LAW ORDER, LAWS

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (PA)

A National Assembly vote on an opposition motion to impeach Yoon is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The opposition parties that jointly submitted the impeachment motion hold 192 of the legislature's 300 seats, meaning they need at least eight more votes from Yoon's conservative People Power Party to gain two-thirds necessary to adopt the motion.

Yoon's party called for his impeachment on Friday, although it remains formally opposed to his removal.

Opposition lawmakers say Yoon's declaration of martial law was a coup. impeachment motion on accusations of rebellion.

If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides to remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, number two in the South Korean government, would assume his presidential responsibilities.

If the president is removed from office, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man)

On Tuesday, special forces troops were seen surrounding the Parliament building and army helicopters flying overhead. The military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to rescind Yoon's declaration of martial law, forcing him to lift it just hours after it was issued.

The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea.

Thousands of demonstrators have since protested in the streets of Seoulholding banners, shouting slogans and singing K-pop songs whose lyrics were altered to demand Yoon's removal.

Han said he received information that during the martial law period, Yoon ordered the country's defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities”.

SOUTH KOREAN LEADER FACES INCREASING CALLS TO Resign or Face Impeachment Over Martial Law

People hold candles during a candlelight vigil against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (PA)

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After Yoon's televised speech, Han again called on the president to resign. Han said the president was not in a state where he could normally carry out his official duties.

“President Yoon Suk Yeol’s early resignation is inevitable,” Han told reporters.

Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers in a closed-door news briefing that Yoon called after he imposed martial law and ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to arrest key politicians, including Han, the main liberal opposition. Democratic Party Chief Lee Jae-myung and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, according to Kim Byung-kee, one of the lawmakers present at the meeting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.