South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a public apology on Saturday following his controversial declaration of martial law earlier this week but stopped short of resigning. The move has plunged the nation into political turmoil, with a parliamentary vote on his impeachment imminent and mass protests planned in Seoul.
Unprecedented martial law declaration
The controversy erupted on Tuesday night when Yoon stunned the nation and the international community by imposing martial law for the first time in over 40 years. Troops and helicopters were deployed to the National Assembly, ostensibly to “safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces” and “eliminate anti-state elements plundering people’s freedom and happiness,” as Yoon stated.
However, the decree was met with immediate resistance. In a dramatic turn of events, lawmakers managed to vote down the martial law order in the early hours of Wednesday, forcing Yoon to rescind the measure. The spectacle, including MPs climbing walls to enter the sealed National Assembly building, marked a chaotic moment for a nation that has long been viewed as a stable democracy.
Apology but no resignation
Addressing the nation on Saturday, Yoon apologised for the anxiety and inconvenience caused by his actions but offered no resignation. “The declaration of martial law arose from my desperation as the president,” Yoon said in his televised statement. “However, in the process, I caused anxiety and inconvenience to the public. I sincerely apologise to the citizens who were greatly distressed.”
He pledged to work with his People Power Party (PPP) to stabilise the political situation but made no commitment to relinquish his office. “I will entrust the party with measures to stabilise the political situation, including my term in office,” he added.
Political fallout and impeachment vote
Yoon faces mounting pressure from both opposition and ruling party members to step down. The opposition Democratic Party holds 192 of the 300 seats in parliament, while the PPP controls 108. Only eight defections from PPP lawmakers would be needed to secure the two-thirds majority required for impeachment.
Han Dong-hoon, head of the PPP, added fuel to the crisis by stating that Yoon’s resignation was “inevitable” to avoid prolonged political chaos. “The normal performance of the president’s duties is impossible under the current circumstances,” he said.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called Yoon’s apology “very disappointing” and said it only deepened public outrage. “The only solution to the current political chaos is the immediate resignation of the president or an early departure through impeachment,” he told AFP.
Protests and allegations of insurrection
Public sentiment has turned sharply against Yoon, with his approval rating plummeting to 13%, according to a poll released Friday. Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to gather in Seoul on Saturday, with organisers hoping for a turnout of 200,000. On Friday night, over 15,000 people braved freezing temperatures in Seoul’s Yeouido district, some camping overnight near the National Assembly.
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Meanwhile, police have begun investigating Yoon and other officials for alleged insurrection over the martial law declaration. Reports have surfaced that soldiers had been ordered to detain key politicians during Tuesday’s operation, though there are indications that special forces hesitated to carry out the politically charged orders.
A return to autocratic shadows?
The martial law fiasco has evoked painful memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past. Yoon’s deployment of military force against lawmakers shocked international allies, with the U.S. reportedly learning of the situation only through media reports. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged South Korea to ensure its democratic processes prevail during a call with Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Friday.
A nation on edge
As South Korea awaits the results of the impeachment vote, the nation remains deeply divided. Yoon’s actions have sparked fears of a return to autocratic governance and eroded trust in his leadership. Whether through impeachment or sustained protests, the political crisis shows no signs of abating, leaving South Korea’s democratic stability hanging in the balance.
