South Korean president apologizes for imposing six-hour martial law

AFP, Reuters and Sputnik

La Jornada Newspaper
Saturday, December 7, 2024, p. 20

Seoul. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol apologized yesterday for his attempt to impose martial law this week and bowed during a televised address to the nation, just hours before a planned impeachment vote.

Suk-yeol said he would not try to evade legal and political responsibility for his decision, which he said was born out of desperation. I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologize to the people who were shocked.he stated.

The speech was the leader’s first public appearance since he revoked the martial law order on Wednesday, just six hours after it was declared and after Parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, to which Suk-yeol belongs, declared that the president was no longer able to fulfill his public duty and that his resignation was inevitable.

Imminent resignation and trial of his wife

Dong-hoon further added that Suk-yeol was a danger to the country and should be removed from power, increasing pressure on him to resign.

Meanwhile, the South Korean Parliament will vote to call an investigation against the wife of the country’s president, Kim Keon-hee, for accusations of corruption and interference in the elections before considering the motion to impeach the president, the news agency reported. Yonhap.