President Yoon "Apologizes to the People... Leaves Term and Political Stability Measures to the Party" (Comprehensive)

President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a public apology on the 7th regarding the emergency martial law situation and entrusted the ruling party with his term and measures to stabilize the political situation.

In a live nationwide address that morning, President Yoon said, "I will entrust the ruling party with the measures to stabilize the political situation, including my term," and added, "Going forward, the ruling party and the government will take joint responsibility for state affairs."

He then stepped forward on the podium, bowed his head, and said, "I sincerely apologize once again for causing concern to the people."

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President Yoon stated, "There are talks that martial law will be declared again, but I want to make it clear," and said, "There will never be a second martial law."

He continued, "This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from the urgency as the president, the ultimate person responsible for state affairs," and added, "however, in the process, we caused anxiety and inconvenience to the people. I deeply regret this and sincerely apologize to the people who were greatly shocked."

President Yoon said, "I will not evade legal·political responsibility regarding this martial law declaration," and added, "Going forward, the ruling party and the government will take joint responsibility for state affairs."

The following is the full text of President Yoon's nationwide address.

Dear respected citizens, I declared emergency martial law at 11 p.m. on December 3.

About two hours later, around 1 a.m. on December 4, following the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law, I ordered the military to withdraw and lifted the martial law after a late-night Cabinet meeting. This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from the urgency as the president, the ultimate person responsible for state affairs.

However, in the process, we caused anxiety and inconvenience to the people. I deeply regret this and sincerely apologize to the people who were greatly shocked.

I will not evade legal or political responsibility regarding this martial law declaration. Citizens, there are talks that martial law will be declared again, but I want to make it clear. There will never be a second martial law.

Citizens, I will entrust the ruling party with measures to stabilize the political situation, including my term. Going forward, the ruling party and the government will take joint responsibility for state affairs.

I sincerely apologize once again for causing concern to the people.

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