SEOUL – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a public apology on Saturday following a controversial attempt to impose martial law just hours before a crucial parliamentary vote on his impeachment.
“the declaration of martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety adn inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said.
The embattled president, who has faced low approval ratings as taking office in 2022, made the declaration Tuesday night, accusing the National Assembly of being a “den of criminals” and vowing to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The move sparked immediate backlash and was overturned by a unanimous parliamentary vote by early Wednesday morning, forcing Yoon to rescind the decree.
Opposition lawmakers have labeled Yoon’s actions a self-coup and are pushing for his impeachment on rebellion charges.The National Assembly, where opposition parties hold 192 of 300 seats, is set to vote on the impeachment motion Saturday afternoon. To pass, the motion requires a two-thirds majority, which would need at least eight votes from Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP).
The impeachment appears increasingly likely after PPP leader Han Dong-hun, a prominent figure in a minority faction of the party, called for suspending Yoon’s constitutional powers, describing him as unfit to govern. However,the PPP as a whole remains formally opposed to impeachment,fearing that removing Yoon could plunge the party into disarray and pave the way for liberals to win a presidential by-election.
If impeached, Yoon’s powers will be suspended while the Constitutional Court deliberates whether to remove him from office—a process that could take months. If he is removed, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days.
Tuesday’s brief imposition of martial law saw special forces surround the National Assembly and military helicopters hovering overhead, a scene that alarmed South Korea’s allies, including the United States and Japan. it marked the first declaration of martial law in the country in over 40 years.
Protests erupted in Seoul after the incident, with thousands of demonstrators waving banners and chanting for Yoon’s ouster. Some even reworked lyrics of popular K-pop songs to call for his resignation. Meanwhile, smaller groups of Yoon supporters rallied near the National Assembly, opposing what they called an “unconstitutional impeachment.”
In his televised address, Yoon did not directly address allegations that he ordered military counterintelligence units to detain political figures, including opposition leaders and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik. Han Dong-hun,who accused Yoon of issuing those orders,reiterated Saturday that the president’s early resignation was “certain.”
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed in a closed-door briefing to lawmakers that Yoon had directed defense counterintelligence forces to target key political figures during the brief martial law period. The Defense Ministry has as suspended several high-ranking military officials, including the commander of defense counterintelligence, Yeo In-hyung, and two other senior officers involved in the deployment of troops to parliament.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, accused of advising Yoon to impose martial law, is under a travel ban and faces a criminal inquiry for rebellion. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho testified to parliament that Kim Yong Hyun gave direct orders for troop deployments, further implicating senior defense leadership in the crisis.
The impeachment vote is expected to further intensify South Korea’s political turmoil, with the future of Yoon’s presidency hanging in the balance as the nation grapples with one of its most significant political crises in decades.
## South Korean President’s Apology Fails to calm Impeachment Storm
**Expert interview: Dr. Park Min-su, Professor of Political Science at Seoul National University**
**World Today News:** Dr. Park, President Yoon’s apology for proposing martial law has been met with mixed reactions. Do you think it will be enough to stave off impeachment?
**Dr. Park:** It’s highly doubtful. While the apology acknowledges the public’s distress, it lacks the substance necessary to forgive such a drastic act. declaring martial law hours before a crucial impeachment vote reeks of desperation and an attempt to cling to power by force. This move has eroded trust in yoon’s leadership and further fueled the opposition’s push for impeachment.
**World Today News:** yoon accused the National Assembly of being a “den of criminals” and vowed to eliminate “North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” What’s your interpretation of this rhetoric?
**Dr. Park:** This language is highly inflammatory and alarming. It’s a classic authoritarian tactic to delegitimize opponents by painting them as enemies of the state. This kind of rhetoric is deeply divisive and hazardous in a democracy. It suggests yoon is willing to use any means necessary to silence dissent and consolidate power.
**World Today News:** Opposition lawyers are calling this a “self-coup”. Is this an accurate characterization?
**Dr. Park:** It’s certainly an accurate description of the gravity of the situation. Attempting to impose martial law to subvert a democratic process is a direct assault on the constitution and the rule of law. Whether it fully qualifies as a “self-coup” is a matter of legal interpretation, but the intent and the consequences are undeniably authoritarian.
**World Today News:** The impeachment motion requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. How likely are Yoon’s own party members to vote against him?
**Dr. Park:** With the PPP leader Han Dong-hun indicating he may vote in favour of impeachment, the odds have shifted considerably.Several other fractures within Yoon’s party suggest a important number of lawmakers are wavering. While it was once unthinkable, impeachment now seems increasingly possible.
**World Today News:** What are the potential implications of Yoon’s impeachment for South Korea?
**Dr. Park:** Yoon’s removal would mark a dramatic turning point in Korean politics. It could lead to political instability and uncertainty in the short term. Though, it could also pave the way for a renewed commitment to democratic values and the rule of law.The outcome will hinge on how the various political factions navigate this crisis.
