On the morning of December 7, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol publicly apologized to the public for his recent decision to declare martial law. Mr. Yoon pledged not to repeat this action in the future. The speech was made as the main opposition party is pushing for his impeachment, with a vote expected in the South Korean National Assembly at 5 p.m. on December 7 (local time).
However, Mr. Yoon's apology has some impact that could help him overcome this impeachment vote.
South Korean people watch President Yoon Suk-yeol's speech on television, December 7. (Photo: Yonhap)
According to the Korea Herald , at least one ruling party lawmaker changed his mind and supported Mr. Yoon to stay in office, at least for now.
Cho Kyoung-tae, a lawmaker from the ruling People's Power Party, said he would vote against Yoon's impeachment. He was the first ruling party lawmaker to publicly support the opposition's effort to remove the South Korean president.
Rep. Cho said he supported the decision of People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon that the ruling party would vote against impeachment.
Two-thirds of the 300 lawmakers must vote in favor for the impeachment motion to pass, meaning President Yoon Suk-yeol would avoid impeachment if all 108 members of his ruling party voted against it.
Representative Cho's last-minute change of heart shows that Yoon's public apology is a positive sign in reducing the possibility of impeachment.
However, the public apology did not appear to have had a significant impact on the opposition.
Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, said President Yoon's speech only exacerbated the South Korean people's feelings of anger and betrayal.
"I can only say: Very disappointing... There is no other solution to the current situation other than the president's immediate resignation or his early resignation due to impeachment," Mr. Lee said.
Mr. Cho Kuk, leader of the Korean Restoration Party - one of the opposition parties, said that President Yoon's decision "has absolutely no meaning".
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/nghi-sy-quay-xe-phan-doi-luan-toi-tong-thong-han-quoc-sau-loi-xin-loi-ar912064.html
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