South Korea's Yoon apologizes for martial law bid

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized for his attempt to impose martial law this week but did not resign, defying intense pressure to step down even from some in his ruling party and only hours ahead of a planned impeachment vote.

Yoon said he would not seek to avoid legal and political responsibility for his decision to declare martial law for the first time in South Korea since 1980. He said the decision was born of desperation.

The speech was the embattled leader's first public appearance since he rescinded the martial law order, just six hours after it was declared and after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree.

South Korean opposition lawmakers said they would vote this weekend to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for his botched attempt to impose martial law, and police said they were investigating claims of treason against him and top ministers.

Yoon's declaration of martial law late on Tuesday sought to consolidate power, ban political activity and censor the media.

It sparked outrage in the streets and concern among South Korea's international allies. The defense minister, who recommended the move, has resigned.

Thousands of South Korean protesters danced to some subversive beats, singing for their embattled president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to resign, just days after his botched attempt to declare martial law.

The protesters gathered near South Korea’s National Assembly building, where troops had been deployed. Opposition lawmakers defied military police cordons to vote against the decree, only for Yoon to rescind the declaration hours later.

Protesters took out their frustration by waving glow sticks and singing “Step down Suk Yeol,” “impeach Yoon,” and “dissolve the People’s Power Party” among other chants to electronic dance music following a candlelight vigil.