South Korea’s President bows to nation in apology

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul apologized Saturday for his recent attempt to impose martial law and expressed remorse during a televised national address just hours before an expected impeachment vote. He said he would not avoid legal or political accountability for his actions, his first public appearance since lifting the martial law order early Wednesday, just six hours after the announcement.The change came after parliament ignored military and police barricades to vote against the decree. “I deeply apologize to the citizens who were upset,” Yun said. “I entrust my party with the responsibility of stabilizing the political landscape in the future, including considering my term in office.” After Yoon’s speech, ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon announced that the president would now Unable to perform responsibilitiesOn Friday, Han called for Yun to be removed from office, calling him a threat to the nation. However, members of Yun’s People’s Power Party (PPP) later reiterated their official opposition to the impeachment. Later on Saturday, lawmakers were expected to vote on the Democratic Party’s impeachment of Yun. Will vote on the motion. The president on Tuesday accused the military of labeling it “anti-state forces” and obstructing political opponents.Some PPP members have since called for Yoon’s voluntary resignation, hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2016 impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye. It followed mass protests over the influence-peddling scandal, which led to the collapse of the ruling party and a decisive victory for the Liberals in the subsequent election. Thousands of protesters outside parliament on Friday night.