South Korea’s Yoon says party to decide his fate; apologizes for failed martial law

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized to the nation Saturday for his failed attempt to implement martial law, hours before an impeachment vote.

“I sincerely apologize for causing anxiety and inconvenience to the people,” Yoon said in a televised address, referring to the decree that was issued late Tuesday.

Yoon said that there would be no such attempt to reimpose martial law.

For political stability in the country, Yoon said he “leaves the decision” to the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to decide about his government and his remaining time in office, which ends in 2027.

Yoon, who is also facing treason charges, emphasized he would not evade legal and political responsibility.

​​​​​​​Yoon imposed martial law at 10.25 p.m. (1325GMT) but announced it was lifted within six hours at 4.27 a.m. Wednesday.

The move was rejected after lawmakers rushed to parliament and voted down his decree.

Six opposition parties late filed an impeachment motion against Yoon which is scheduled to be voted on at around 5 p.m. local time Saturday.

The opposition bloc’s move depends, however, on support from the PPP.

For a successful impeachment motion, the opposition bloc needs the support of at least eight additional lawmakers from the PPP to reach the minimum threshold of 200 in a 300-seat parliament.

Tuesday was the 17th time since 1948 that South Korea saw martial law.

“This is a situation where the president cannot perform his duties normally,” PPP chairman Han Dong-hoon said after Yoon’s address.

​​​​​​​He added that the president's resignation was "inevitable."