Official announcement from the South Korean parliament

South Korea's Yoon Apologizes Ahead of Impeachment Vote Over Martial Law

Dec 7, 2024, 01:22 AM

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, sending heavily armed soldiers into the streets of Seoul. The decision, which reminded many of the country's past military dictatorships, was revoked hours later following an emergency parliamentary session. Yoon replaced Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun after parliament overturned the martial law move. The opposition has initiated impeachment proceedings against him, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for Saturday. On Saturday morning, Yoon delivered a televised address in which he bowed and apologized for causing public anxiety, pledging not to impose martial law again. Despite the apology, he did not resign and faces mass street protests in Seoul.