Real-time Transmission of AP·AFP Statements and Ruling-Opposition Reactions
Japanese Media Also Broadcast Live Coverage
On the 7th, when President Yoon Suk-yeol made his first statement regarding the emergency martial law situation, saying, "I feel very sorry and sincerely apologize to the people," foreign media also urgently reported this simultaneously.
Major foreign news agencies such as AP and AFP reported on the same day that "the South Korean president apologized for declaring martial law," highlighting President Yoon's address to the nation as breaking news.
AP reported, "The South Korean president said he was 'very sorry' for causing anxiety by declaring martial law just hours before the impeachment vote." AP also noted, "It was unclear whether the submitted consent bill would gain the necessary support for impeachment, but the possibility increased after the ruling party leader described Minister Yoon as unfit to remain in office the previous day." AFP also broadcast the statement live on the same day.
Additionally, the reactions of the ruling and opposition party leaders immediately following President Yoon's address were reported as breaking news.
Furthermore, citing Yonhap News Agency, detailed coverage was given to the National Assembly's schedule to vote on the special prosecutor law for First Lady Kim Keon-hee before the impeachment vote on President Yoon at 5 p.m. that day, showing great interest in the emergency martial law situation.
In Japan, President Yoon Suk-yeol's address to the nation was broadcast live in real time.
The local public broadcaster NHK interrupted its regular programming at 10 a.m. to provide live simultaneous interpretation and broadcast of President Yoon's address. The full transcript was also published on its website.
NHK reported that President Yoon said, "I feel very sorry and sincerely apologize to the people who must have been very surprised," but did not mention his resignation. It added that the ruling party's movements would be crucial in achieving the quorum needed for the impeachment vote. Kyodo News also stated that President Yoon did not directly mention resignation in his address.
Japanese media also focused on the fact that President Yoon, who had faced strong criticism for declaring martial law on the night of the 3rd, made his first official statement on the 4th after lifting the martial law.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported, "President Yoon spoke publicly for the first time since lifting martial law," adding, "He apologized and bowed his head during the TV broadcast."
Major local newspapers such as Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, and Mainichi Shimbun also reported President Yoon's address to the nation as breaking news.
In his address, President Yoon stated, "This declaration of martial law stemmed from the desperation of the president as the ultimate person responsible for state affairs, but in the process, it caused anxiety and inconvenience to the people."
He continued, "I will not evade legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration," and said, "I will entrust the future political stability measures, including my term, to our party."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
