South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol on Saturday apologized for declaring short-lived martial law earlier this week. as he prepares for a parliamentary vote on whether to impeach him.
Yoon said in a televised speech on Saturday morning that He would avoid any legal or political responsibility for such a declaration. and pledged not to attempt to enforce this declaration again. Related news agencies– The president, who is a conservative, said He will leave it up to his party to offer a path forward amid the country’s political turmoil. “Including matters related to my term of office.”
“His declaration of martial law was born out of my desperation,” Yoon said, “but during its implementation it caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I am extremely sorry and apologize to those who were shocked.”
In declaring martial law on Tuesday Yoon referred to parliament as a A “nest of criminals” that blocks state affairs and pledged to eliminate “Shameless North Korean followers and anti-state forces”
South Korean president faces impeachment Vote this week over martial law order the lawmaker said
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech at the Presidential Palace in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, Dec. 1, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP)
National Assembly vote on opposition-led motion to impeach Yoon It is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The joint opposition parties submitted the impeachment motion, winning 192 of the 300 seats in the legislature. This means they need at least eight additional votes from Yun’s conservative People’s Power Party. To get a 2/3 vote to pass the motion.
Yoon’s party called for his impeachment on Friday. The party, though, remains opposed to official condemnation.
Opposition lawmakers said Yoon’s declaration of martial law was a self-coup, so they drafted a motion to impeach him on treason charges.
If Yoon is removed His powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Dak-soo, who is the second-in-command in the South Korean government will assume the duties of his presidency.
If the president is impeached A replacement election must be held within 60 days.
South Korean President Yun Suk Yeol speaks during an interview at the Presidential Palace in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, January 1, September 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Lee Jinman)
on Tuesday Special forces were observed surrounding the parliament building. And there was a military helicopter flying over the parliament building. The army withdrew after parliament voted unanimously to overturn Yoon’s declaration of martial law. forcing him to cancel the announcement just hours after it was announced.
South Korea declares martial law for the first time in more than 40 years.
Since then Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Seoul, waving signs, shouting slogans and singing K-pop songs. By changing the lyrics to call for Yoon’s removal.
Han said he received intelligence that During Martial Law Yoon ordered the commander of the country’s defense intelligence service to arrest and detain prominent politicians based on allegations of “Anti-state activities”
South Korea’s leader faces calls to resign or be impeached over martial law.
People hold candles during a candlelight vigil in memory of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul, South Korea. On Wednesday 21 Dec. 4 Nov. 2024 (AP)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
After Yoon’s televised speech Han has once again called for the president to resign. Han said the president was not in a condition to carry out his official duties.
“President Yoon’s premature resignation. Suk Yeol is inevitable,” Han told reporters.
Hong Jang-won, First Deputy Director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service Told lawmakers at a closed briefing that Yoon called for martial law. and ordered him to help the Defense Intelligence Agency capture important politicians. which includes Han which is the main liberal opposition, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly. According to Kim Byung-ki, one of the lawmakers who attended the meeting,
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
