On Saturday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol publicly apologized for his controversial attempt to impose martial law earlier this week but refused to step down, despite mounting calls for his resignation, including from within his own party. The apology came just hours before a vote on an impeachment motion was set to take place.
In a televised address, Yoon expressed regret for the martial law declaration, which had been compared to South Korea’s authoritarian past and marked the first such move since 1980.
Read more: South Korean President Declares Martial Law Amid Political Strife
He described the decision as a desperate response to what he called “anti-state forces” obstructing the government. Yoon deeply apologized, acknowledging the shock caused to the public and leaving the resolution of his position up to his party.
Despite the apology, pressure for his resignation continued to build. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP), stated that the president could no longer effectively serve, urging him to step down. Protests outside the National Assembly echoed the political unrest of previous years, with demonstrators calling for Yoon’s impeachment.
Yoon’s martial law order, issued on Tuesday, granted the military sweeping powers to suppress alleged political interference. However, the order was rescinded within 24 hours after Parliament voted against it, defying military and police barriers.
Investigations into the decree have been launched, with potential charges of insurrection and abuse of power facing Yoon and other officials involved. This crisis has drawn comparisons to the turbulent political events of 2016, with some members of his party suggesting his resignation to prevent further damage to the conservative movement.
