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By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, Dec. 7 (Yonhap) — President Yoon Suk Yeol said Saturday he is “sincerely sorry” over causing public concerns for declaring martial law earlier this week, while pledging not to make another such attempt again, hours ahead of an impeachment vote against him.
“I am sincerely sorry and apologize to the people who must have been very surprised,” Yoon said in a brief televised public address, hours ahead of a parliamentary vote on an impeachment motion against him.
President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a special address at the presidential office in Seoul on Dec. 7, 2024, to apologize for causing public concerns with his short-lived martial law declaration, in this image captured from KTV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Yoon made the remark in his first public appearance after he declared martial law Tuesday night and rescinded it six hours later after the National Assembly voted against it.
The embattled president said he imposed martial law due to “desperation” but acknowledged the abrupt decision caused “concerns and inconvenience” to the people. He denied rumors that martial law will be invoked again.
“I will not avoid legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration,” he said.
Yoon vowed to leave all decisions, including his term, to his People Power Party in order to stabilize the political situation, signaling he is loosening his grip on power.
“Going forward, our party and the government will jointly take responsibility for state affairs,” he said.
Yoon was elected in May 2022 to a single, five-year term.
President Yoon Suk Yeol bows ahead of a public address at the presidential office in Seoul on Dec. 7, 2024, to apologize for his short-lived martial law declaration, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The president is facing growing pressure to step down after he shocked the nation by imposing martial law to root out “anti-state forces,” accusing the opposition of paralyzing the government functions with impeachment motions and the proposed budget cut.
The opposition bloc, which together holds 192 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, is set to vote on his impeachment motion at around 5 p.m. The motion requires at least eight votes from the ruling party, which holds 108 seats.
Following the two-minute address, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, reiterated his call for Yoon’s immediate resignation or impeachment.
People watch news of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s public address at Seoul Station in the capital city on Dec. 7, 2024. (Yonhap)
PPP leader Han Dong-hoon also questioned Yoon’s ability to govern, saying his early resignation is “unavoidable.”
The PPP has established a party stance to oppose the impeachment to avoid a repeat of a similar crisis following the 2016 impeachment of then President Park Gun-hye, which led to the divide of the conservative party and a liberal victory in a snap presidential election in 2017.
If Yoon is ousted from office, the DP’s Lee is seen as a top contender in the snap election that would be called within 60 days. Lee faces his own legal risks, facing several trials on corruption and other allegations.
If the impeachment bid fails, the ruling party may consider various measures, including a constitutional amendment to shorten the president’s term and give more power to the prime minister, who currently holds a largely ceremonial role.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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