Statement by Yoon after five days... Seems to accept term reduction and stepping back to second line (Comprehensive)

Yoon "Sincerely Apologize to the People... Leaves Term to the Party"
Direct Statement Unavoidable Ahead of National Assembly Impeachment Vote
"Crisis of Impeachment Realization at Its Peak"
Attention on Pro-Party Faction Votes Ahead of Impeachment Vote

On the 7th, the day of the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, citizens are watching President Yoon's national address in the waiting room of Seoul Station. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

President Yoon Suk-yeol issued a public apology on the 7th regarding the emergency martial law incident. After a long silence following the emergency martial law situation, President Yoon's sudden public address five days after the incident occurred was due to the peak of his sense of crisis over the realization of impeachment.

In particular, this move was interpreted as a necessary measure to calm the angry public sentiment and minimize defections from the ruling party, as the National Assembly was about to hold a plenary session at 5 p.m. that day to vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon. There is also analysis that it could have the effect of rallying the conservative base amid the imminent threat of impeachment.

A presidential office official told Asia Economy in a phone interview that "the need for the president to directly express his position was consistently raised not only within the ruling party but also among the presidential office aides," adding, "It was a situation where it was impossible not to do so before the National Assembly's impeachment vote."

Calming Angry Public Sentiment and Aiming to Rally Conservatives?

It is known that President Yoon decided on the address after accepting the ruling party's demand to express his position, including a public apology, before the impeachment vote. The day before, President Yoon met consecutively with Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, and Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader, to gather opinions including calls for an apology from the ruling party, responding, "I understand well. I will consider it."

As the opposition party strongly pushes for impeachment and defections are feared within the ruling party amid internal strife, President Yoon's determination to prevent the extreme situation of impeachment is seen as leading to the public address before the impeachment vote. It is also reported that presidential aides, who had been exploring various recovery measures such as public addresses, press conferences, and apologies after the lifting of martial law, continued to recommend to President Yoon that he could no longer delay making a statement.

President Yoon, who had maintained the position that the declaration of martial law was "the opposition party's fault" and that "the declaration was made within the bounds of the constitution," changed his stance and issued a public apology, which is interpreted as an urgent effort to prevent the worst-case scenario of impeachment.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a live nationwide address at 10 a.m. on the 7th, ahead of the impeachment vote related to the declaration of martial law. President Yoon apologized to the public for the martial law situation and stated that he would entrust his term and political stability measures to the party. (TV recording) Photo by Jo Yong-jun

The address that day emphasized a public apology. With a solemn expression, President Yoon said, "The declaration of martial law this time stemmed from the desperation as the final person responsible for state affairs," adding, "However, in the process, we caused anxiety and inconvenience to the people. I am very sorry and sincerely apologize to all the citizens who were greatly shocked."

He then stepped forward to the podium and bowed his head, saying, "Once again, I bow my head and apologize for causing concern to the people."

He also focused on dispelling concerns about the possibility of a second martial law incident. President Yoon said, "There are talks that martial law will be invoked again, but I say clearly, such an event like a second martial law will never happen."

Regarding the future direction of recovery, he did not directly mention the key issue of a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term, which had been a focal point of the address. However, it was interpreted as implicitly indicating acceptance. President Yoon stated, "I will not evade legal and political responsibility related to this martial law declaration," and "In the future, our party and government will take joint responsibility for state affairs."

After President Yoon's public address, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "President Yoon's early resignation is inevitable," adding, "We will discuss and consider the best way forward for the Republic of Korea and its people."

Yoon: "Leave Term and Political Stability Measures to the Party"

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the meeting room of the People Power Party's members' general meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and moving to a vehicle. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

With President Yoon expressing his intention to leave the issue of his term and future political stability measures to the party, attention is focused on the impeachment vote and the direction of resolving the situation scheduled for that afternoon.

The biggest focus is the result of the National Assembly plenary session vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon, which will be held after 5 p.m. To pass the impeachment motion, two-thirds (200 members) of the total assembly members must vote in favor. Even if all 192 opposition members vote in favor, at least 8 defections from the People Power Party are required.

The impeachment momentum surged after Han said the day before, "I judge that an early suspension of President Yoon's duties is necessary," and Cho Kyung-tae, a six-term lawmaker close to Han and the first ruling party member to publicly support impeachment, voiced support. However, since President Yoon left the term and political recovery measures to the party, there is a possibility of a shift in the ruling party's stance.

In fact, within the ruling party, there is stronger support for forming an emergency national unity cabinet and for President Yoon to step back to a secondary role rather than impeachment. This is because impeachment would pave the way for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, to advance his presidential ambitions.

The People Power Party's association of city and provincial governors, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, stated, "We must avoid the president's impeachment at all costs," and "President Yoon should form an emergency national unity cabinet led by a responsible prime minister and step back to a secondary role." They also said, "The political schedule, including a constitutional amendment to shorten the term, must be clearly announced," and "From now on, we will fulfill the ruling party's responsibilities."

People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and party secretary-general Park Jeong-ha also visited the Yongsan presidential office the day before and conveyed opinions that a responsible prime minister system and a constitutional amendment to shorten the term are necessary to resolve the situation.

President Yoon's mention of "leaving it to the party" is also analyzed as reflecting the judgment that shortening the term or stepping back to a secondary role is preferable to impeachment.

However, even if President Yoon overcomes the impeachment hurdle, there is a possibility of division within the ruling party during the promised recovery process.

This is because pro-Han and pro-Yoon factions could clash again over political stability measures and state affairs management. While Han will try to seize control, it is unlikely that other potential presidential candidates within the ruling party will tolerate this.