South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol survives impeachment vote after declaring martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has survived an impeachment vote in parliament following his attempt to impose martial law earlier this week.

President Yoon has been facing intense pressure to stand down as leader, after his shock bid to declare martial law in South Korea. The failed attempt sparked a fierce backlash.

The martial law declaration was overturned by a majority in the assembly, including 18 members of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party.

However, on Saturday evening, party lawmakers rallied behind the president, prioritising the prevention of a progressive leadership return over concerns about Yoon’s actions.

After the vote, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said his party will “continue to push for the president’s orderly resignation” in order to “minimize confusion.”

An opposition lawmaker Kim Joon-hyung, of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said there was no way the president could last until the end of his term.

“The sooner that he resigns or impeached, the better for our country.”

Opposition lawmakers have submitted another motion for Wednesday, December 11 – the next available date they can vote on Yoon’s impeachment.

Yoon earlier apologized to the nation Saturday 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 said he “will not avoid the legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration.”