South Korea’s President, Yoon Suk Yeol, has publicly apologized for his controversial imposition of martial law earlier this week, a move that shocked both the nation and the international community. The president cited political turmoil and a gridlock in the legislature as the motivations for his actions, claiming that he wanted to eliminate anti-state elements. The decree, which involved military forces surrounding parliament and deploying troops to enforce control, was quickly rejected by lawmakers. They voted overwhelmingly to block the measure, reaffirming South Korea’s commitment to democratic institutions.
Yoon’s apology, delivered in a televised address, expressed regret over the anxiety and inconvenience caused to the public, but he stopped short of offering to resign. He insisted that his administration would work to stabilize the situation through the party’s intervention. Despite this, the political atmosphere remains tense, with calls for his resignation coming from both opposition parties and members of his own People Power Party. Protestors gathered outside parliament in large numbers, demanding his removal, as his approval ratings plummeted to a record low of just 13%.
The martial law attempt has raised comparisons to the era of military dictatorship in South Korea, particularly given the extreme measures taken. Although the National Assembly rejected the decree and secured a victory for democracy, the incident has deeply polarized the political landscape. Analysts suggest that this could either reinforce the resilience of South Korea’s democracy or further deepen the country’s political crisis
