South Korea braces for turmoil as impeachment looms over Yoon
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 3rd December. 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This was Yoon's first public appearance since he rescinded martial law on Wednesday, just six hours after it was declared, following a vote by lawmakers who broke through military and police barricades to reach the National Assembly building and rejected the president's decree.
Yoon "deeply apologises" for martial law
Yoon 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 emphasised that he has no intention of declaring another martial law.
The head of state announced that he would not evade legal or political responsibility for Tuesday's declaration and its aftermath. Yoon entrusted the "party with methods to stabilise 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 Greenwich 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 Hoon, said after Yoon's address that the president's early resignation is "inevitable" because he can no longer fulfil public duties. It is unclear whether this implies support for the motion to impeach Yoon. On Friday, Han declared that the party would block the impeachment bill.
Meanwhile, the leader of the largest opposition force, the Democratic Party, Lee 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.
