The Daily Populous Saturday December 7th, 2024 morning edition
Authored by cnn.com and submitted by cnn

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has apologized to the nation in his first public comments since his abortive attempt to impose martial law threw the country into political chaos and led to calls for his impeachment.

“This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs,” Yoon said in a two-minute address.

“I am deeply sorry and sincerely apologize to the citizens who must have been greatly shocked,” Yoon said, acknowledging that he “caused anxiety and inconvenience” to South Korean citizens.

Yoon, who is expected to face an impeachment vote in parliament this weekend, said he “will not avoid the legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration.”

Video Ad Feedback 'Stunning development': CNN reporter breaks down decision to lift martial law 03:53 - Source: CNN

The furor began late Tuesday night, when Yoon declared martial law in an unannounced television address, accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of “anti-state activities.” He cited a motion by the Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal.

Yet within just six hours, the leader was forced to back down, after lawmakers forced their way past soldiers into parliament to unanimously strike down the decree.

Addressing rumors on Saturday that martial law will be invoked again, Yoon said “there will absolutely be no second attempt at a constitutional amendment.”

“I will entrust my party with methods to stabilize the political situation, including the remainder of my term… I apologize to the citizens for the concerns I have caused,” Yoon concluded as he stepped off the podium and bowed.

The declaration of a military emergency, although short-lived, was met with shock and anger across the country, which remains deeply scarred by the brutality of martial law imposed during decades of military dictatorship before it won a long, bloody fight for democracy in the 1980s.

Video Ad Feedback 'I tried to block them with my body': South Korean politician on confronting soldier during martial law 02:20 - Source: CNN

Pressure on Yoon has mounted in the days since, with protesters and opposition figures demanding his impeachment – and support wavering even within his own party and the military.

The leader of the ruling party said after Yoon’s address that the president’s resignation is now inevitable.

Speaking to reporters, Han Dong-hoon, chief of Yoon’s own People Power Party, said it was “impossible for the president to carry on his normal duties,” adding that his “early resignation is inevitable.”

On Friday, Han said Yoon needed to be immediately suspended from duty to protect the country from “grave danger,” in a dramatic reversal of opinion that compounds the pressure building on the president ahead of an impeachment vote in parliament.

Yoon’s apology came as new details emerged of the arrest list the president came up with during the upheaval, a significant turning point that prompted Han to call for Yoon’s suspension on Friday.

Shortly after martial law was declared, Yoon allegedly told Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, over the phone that he should take the opportunity to “arrest and clean everything up.”

Yoon said he would give the intelligence service authority to launch a counter-intelligence probe and “support it with funds, personnel unconditionally.”

Details were first revealed to reporters by lawmakers briefed about the phone conversation, and Hong on Saturday confirmed to CNN the veracity of the content.

Hong learned of the list through Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) later and thought it was “crazy,” lawmakers said earlier, citing him.

Han was on the arrest list together with a raft of politicians including opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.

dv666 on December 7th, 2024 at 01:45 UTC »

It was just a prank, bro

ButtholeQuiver on December 7th, 2024 at 01:39 UTC »

Who among us hasn't declared martial law once or twice

CptAwesomeMan on December 7th, 2024 at 01:33 UTC »

(George Costanza voice) "was that wrong?"