South Korea: Former President Yoon Apologizes for Failing to Meet Public Expectations Following Impeachment

Synopsis

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed deep regrets for not meeting public expectations after being ousted by the Constitutional Court due to a controversial martial law declaration. He conveyed gratitude to supporters and voiced hope for the country's future despite his departure.

Key Takeaways

Yoon Suk Yeol apologizes for not meeting public expectations.
Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment.
Yoon thanks supporters during his final meeting.
His presidency was marked by political turmoil.
He hopes for the ruling party's success in upcoming elections.

Seoul, April 4 (NationPress) Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his regrets on Friday for not fulfilling public expectations after the Constitutional Court effectively removed him from office due to his brief martial law declaration in December.

Yoon conveyed his apology through his legal representatives shortly after the court unanimously decided to oust him.

"I am truly sorry for not being able to meet your aspirations and expectations," Yoon stated in a public message.

"Serving our nation has been the greatest honor of my life. I am sincerely thankful for your steadfast support and encouragement, even during my shortcomings."

Later that day, Yoon met with the interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), Kwon Young-se, and the party's floor leader, Kweon Seong-dong, at the presidential residence.

During the meeting, Yoon expressed gratitude to his supporters and conveyed his wishes for the nation's prosperity, despite his departure from office.

He also expressed hope that the ruling party would effectively prepare for the upcoming presidential election and secure a victory, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Yoon, who rapidly transitioned from a top prosecutor to the presidency in just three years, became the second South Korean President to be formally removed from office, with his unexpected martial law attempt causing nationwide turmoil and exacerbating political divisions.

With this ruling, Yoon, aged 64, joins the ranks of former President Park Geun-hye, who was ousted in 2017 following the Constitutional Court's endorsement of her impeachment related to a corruption scandal.

Before ascending to the highest office in the nation, Yoon began his career as a prosecutor in 1994, rising to lead an investigation team into Park's corruption scandal, which ultimately resulted in her removal and imprisonment.

In 2019, he was appointed as the nation's top prosecutor under former President Moon Jae-in but faced conflicts with the administration while overseeing investigations into family members of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.

Amid increasing pressure from the Moon administration, Yoon resigned from his position in 2021, soon entering politics and winning the presidential election in 2022 as the conservative People Power Party candidate.

Yoon's presidency was fraught with conflict, particularly with a National Assembly dominated by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP). He utilized his presidential veto against 25 bills passed by the assembly.

Tensions with the DP escalated dramatically in early December, as the main opposition introduced motions to impeach the nation's top auditor and a senior prosecutor, prompting Yoon to declare martial law on December 3, which ultimately led to his downfall.