fortuneplay888 South Korea Crisis: President Yoon Apologises For Martial Law Attempt Amid Impeachment Push
South Korea Crisis: President Yoon Apologises For Martial Law Attempt Amid Impeachment Push |Photo- AFP South Korea Crisis: President Yoon Apologises For Martial Law Attempt Amid Impeachment Push |Photo- AFP 
Ahead of a parliamentary vote on his impeachment, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed regret for his brief attempt to impose martial law on Saturday. He announced that he would accept any legal or political repercussions.
Yoon in a televised address acknowledged the public concern and inconvenience caused by his actions. He vowed never to pursue martial law again.
He stated that the decision regarding his political future would be left to his People Power Party (PPP). Yoon said that he was committed to face any legal consequences stemming from the incident.
"I am very sorry and would like to sincerely apologise to the people who were shocked," Reuters has quoted Yoon as saying.
Bowing during the address, he further said, "I leave it up to my party to take steps to stabilise the political situation in the future, including the issue of my term in office."
Responding to Yoon's address, PPP leader Han Dong-hun swiftly called for the president's resignation. He declared that the president was no longer fit to hold office.
While Opposition lawmakers filed an impeachment motion, it remains uncertain whether they can secure the necessary two-thirds majority to pass it.
The Opposition requires at least eight votes from the PPP to reach the 192 votes needed in the 300-seat National Assembly. Just hours after the martial law was declared, 18 PPP members voted to end it.
Yoon's actions have sparked a political crisis. It alarmed key allies such as the United States and Japan. Opposition MPs described the martial law declaration as an attempted self-coup.
They argued it amounted to rebellion. Han - during a parliamentary session - called for Yoon's immediate resignation, though the PPP voted against impeachment.
Han further accused Yoon on Friday of creating a serious national security threat. He also called for his powers to be suspended.
Han also claimed that Yoon ordered the arrest of National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and himself during the brief martial law period - accusing them of "anti-state activities".
What is Martial Law?
South Korea's constitution grants the president the authority to impose martial law during "wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states", AP reported. Martial law can involve suspending civil rights like freedom of press and assembly and limiting the powers of the courts and government agencies.
The National Assembly also has the power to revoke martial law by a majority vote. As they learned Yoon's declarationfortuneplay888, lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly. Some even climbed walls to evade military barricades to ensure a quorum. They voted unanimously, 190-0, including 18 members of Yoon’s own party, to lift the martial law declaration.