South Korean President Apologizes for Martial Law Attempt
A Nation in Crisis
SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday apologized for his attempt to impose martial law this week and bowed during a televised speech to the nation, only hours head of a planned impeachment vote.
A Desperate Decision
Yoon said he would not seek to avoid legal and political responsibility for his decision, which he said was born of desperation. The speech was the embattled leader’s first public appearance since he rescinded the martial law order early on Wednesday, just six hours after it was declared and after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree.
A Sincere Apology
"I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked," Yoon said. "I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilise the political situation in future, including the issue of my term in office," he said.
A Leader in Crisis
South Korea’s ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon said after Yoon’s address that the president was no longer in a position to carry out public duty and his resignation was now unavoidable. On Friday, Han said Yoon was a danger to the country and needed to be removed from power, increasing the pressure on Yoon to quit even though his People Power Party (PPP) members later reaffirmed a formal opposition to his impeachment.
A Nation Divided
Lawmakers will vote on the main opposition Democratic Party’s motion to impeach Yoon later on Saturday. Yoon shocked the nation late on Tuesday when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers in order to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and overcome obstructionist political opponents.
A Repeat of History
Some PPP members urged Yoon to resign before the vote, saying they did not want a repeat of the 2016 impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye, who left office following months of candlelit protests over an influence-peddling scandal. Her downfall triggered the implosion of the party and a victory by liberals in presidential and general elections.
A Nation in Protest
In scenes reminiscent of those protests, thousands of demonstrators holding candles assembled outside parliament on Friday night demanding Yoon’s impeachment. More demonstrations are expected on Saturday ahead of the vote.
A Legal and Political Crisis
Prosecutors, the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials have all launched probes into Yoon and senior officials involved in the martial law decree, seeking to pursue charges of insurrection and abuse of power, among others.
Conclusion
The crisis surrounding President Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law has left the nation in a state of uncertainty and turmoil. As the country prepares for a vote on his impeachment, it remains to be seen whether Yoon will resign or face the consequences of his actions.
FAQs
- What was the reason behind President Yoon’s decision to impose martial law?
- President Yoon said his decision was born of desperation.
- What was the reaction of the ruling party leader to President Yoon’s apology?
- The ruling party leader said President Yoon was no longer in a position to carry out public duty and his resignation was now unavoidable.
- What is the current state of the political situation in South Korea?
- The country is in a state of crisis, with thousands of demonstrators demanding President Yoon’s impeachment and the ruling party leader calling for his resignation.