S Korea president apologises for martial law declaration
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has apologised for his declaration of martial law earlier this week, stating that such an order will not be issued again.
The president, facing possible impeachment following Tuesday’s declaration, which was swiftly overturned by the National Assembly, addressed the nation in a brief televised speech.
In response, Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP), told reporters that it had become impossible for the president to carry out his duties, adding that “His early resignation is inevitable.”
Yoon expressed regret, saying, “I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked.” He further stated, “Regarding the declaration of martial law, I will not avoid any legal or political responsibility.”
Although many speculated that he might announce his resignation during the speech, Yoon did not step down. Instead, he said he would leave the task of stabilising the situation to his party.
He also did not mention impeachment.
The opposition is pushing for a vote on the motion to impeach Yoon on Saturday. It needs at least eight members of Yoon’s party to vote in favour for the motion to pass with a two-thirds majority in the 300-seat parliament.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said he was disappointed with President Yoon’s comments on Friday and that they would only increase the public’s sense of anger and betrayal.
Lee added that he would do his best to remove the president from office.
“The greatest risk facing South Korea right now is the very existence of the president.”
It is not only politicians who have been outraged by Yoon’s actions.
Yang Soonsil, 50, is a seafood shop owner at Namdaemun market in the South Korean capital, Seoul. She told the BBC that she had felt fear and disbelief when martial law was declared.
“I have lost complete trust in him [Yoon] as a president, I don’t think he’s my president any more,” she said.
“We need to fight until the end, we can’t let him maintain his position as a president.”
At the same market was shopper Han Jungmo, who said that Yoon’s apology was not enough.
“He must either step down voluntarily or be impeached, if he’s not willing to,” he said, adding that the president had broken trust with the people.
“If he continues to insist on being president, then it would be a very hopeless situation because I believe for this president, this martial law is not the only misdeed he has conducted.”
South Korea was plunged into political turmoil late on Tuesday night when Yoon made the shock martial law declaration.
He cited threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korea. However, it soon became clear that his move had been spurred not by external threats but by his own domestic political troubles.
Some lawmakers jumped over barricades and fences to get past security forces in order to convene in parliament and void Yoon’s decree.
Yoon rolled back the declaration six hours later after MPs voted it down but there had been concern he would attempt to make a second decree. Some lawmakers had been staying near the National Assembly to make sure they were there ready to void it.
Before his attempt to place the country under military rule, Yoon had been beset by low popularity ratings, corruption allegations and an opposition-led legislature that reduced him to a lame-duck leader.
