President Yoon of South Korea Expresses Deep Regret for Martial Law Declaration, Promises No Future Attempts

Seoul, December 7 (NationPress) - The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, conveyed his deep regret on Saturday regarding the public alarm triggered by his earlier declaration of martial law this week, promising that he will refrain from making similar moves in the future.

"I am sincerely sorry and apologize to the people who must have been very surprised," Yoon stated during a televised address, just hours before a parliamentary vote regarding an impeachment motion against him.

This was his first public statement following the martial law declaration on Tuesday night, which he revoked six hours later after the National Assembly opposed it.

He explained that he enacted martial law out of a sense of desperation as President but recognized that the sudden action led to significant concerns and disruptions for the public.

"I will not shy away from the legal and political implications of this martial law declaration," he stated, promising to leave all decisions, including those regarding his presidency, to his People Power Party to help restore stability in the nation.

Yoon was elected in May 2022 for a single five-year term.

Later on Saturday, South Korean legislators were expected to vote on whether to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol due to his brief attempt to impose martial law, amid rising protests across the nation demanding his resignation.

It remained uncertain whether the impeachment motion put forth by opposition politicians would secure the two-thirds majority needed for Yoon's removal from office. However, the likelihood appeared to increase after the leader of Yoon's own party called for a suspension of his constitutional powers, labeling him as unfit for his role and warning of potential further extreme actions, including renewed attempts to declare martial law.