South Korea's president faces backlash amid martial law crisis
The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, in a brief address to the nation on Saturday, expressed deep regret for the unrest caused by the declaration of martial law on December 3. However, he did not decide to resign.
This was Yoon's first public appearance since he rescinded martial law on Wednesday, just six hours after it was declared. This decision came after lawmakers breached military and police barricades to reach the National Assembly building and reject the president's decree.
Yoon "deeply sorry" for martial law
Jun stated in a televised address that the decision to impose martial law "stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs." He acknowledged that this caused anxiety and inconvenience for the citizens, for which he is "deeply sorry." He also emphasized that he has no intention of declaring martial law again.
The head of state announced that he would not evade legal or political responsibility for Tuesday's declaration and its aftermath. Jun entrusted the "party with methods to stabilize the political situation, including the remainder of my term," to the ruling People's Power Party, from which he hails, and to his administration.
At the end of his speech, the president stood before the podium and bowed deeply before leaving.
A vote on initiating impeachment proceedings against Yoon is scheduled for Saturday afternoon Eastern Time. It is uncertain whether the motion submitted by six opposition parties, which collectively hold 192 seats, will gain the required two-thirds support in the 300-member National Assembly.
The leader of the People's Power Party, Han Dong Hun, said after Jun's address that the president's early resignation is "inevitable" because he can no longer fulfill public duties. It is unclear whether this implies support for the motion to impeach Jun. On Friday, Han declared that the party would block the impeachment bill.
Meanwhile, the leader of the largest opposition force, the Democratic Party, Li Jae Myung, stated that he will firmly pursue an early end to Jun's term, as he assessed that his presidency is "dangerous" for the nation.
The Yonhap news agency reported earlier that the vote on Jun's impeachment motion will be preceded by a re-vote on a bill to establish a special office to investigate accusations against the president's wife, Kim Kon Hee.
