South Korean president apologizes for declaring martial law with possible impeachment vote looming

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized Saturday for the public anxiety caused by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law earlier this week, hours ahead of a parliamentary vote on impeaching him.

Yoon said in a brief televised address Saturday morning that he won't shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promised not to make another attempt to impose it. He said he would leave it to his conservative political party to chart a course through the country's political turmoil, "including matters related to my term in office."

South Korean lawmakers are set to vote later Saturday on impeaching the president, as protests grew nationwide calling for his removal.