S Korea’s Yoon apologises for martial law crisis as impeachment vote looms

South Korean lawmakers are scheduled to vote on an opposition motion to impeach the president for declaring martial law earlier this week.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has made a public apology for his attempt to impose martial law this week but did not resign, defying intense pressure to step down – even from some in his own party – only hours before a planned impeachment vote.

In a televised address to the nation on Saturday, Yoon said he would not seek to avoid legal and political responsibility for his decision to invoke the emergency measure of martial law for the first time in South Korea since 1980.

He said his decision was born of “desperation”.

“I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked,” Yoon said, promising there would be no second attempt.

“I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilise the political situation in the future, including the issue of my term in office,” he said, standing in front of the South Korean flag and bowing after he finished his brief remarks.