South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will address the nation on Saturday morning, his office said.
Address Before Impeachment Vote
President Yoon’s address to the nation will take place ahead of a planned impeachment vote over his attempt this week to impose martial law.
The speech would be the embattled leader’s first public appearance since he rescinded the martial law order early on Wednesday just six hours after it was declared.
Defiance By Parliament
The South Korean President backed down on the order after the parliament defied military and police cordons to vote against the decree.
The Parliament rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media.
International Diplomatic Fallout
He also faced immediate international diplomatic fallout on Wednesday after his botched attempt to impose martial law.
Political Crisis
Yoon created South Korea’s biggest political crisis in decades, by declaring martial law on Tuesday night.
He did so during a televised address to thwart “anti-state forces” among his domestic political opponents.
On Friday the leader of Yoon’s own People Power Party said the President was a danger to the country and must be removed from power.
What Created Pressure On President Yoon To Quit?
This increased the pressure on him to quit even though PPP members later reaffirmed its formal opposition to his impeachment.
Lawmakers will vote on the main opposition Democratic Party’s motion to impeach the South Korean President who shocked the nation by giving the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called “anti-state forces”.
Some PPP members urged Yoon to resign before the vote.
Lessons From Impeachment Of The President In 2016
These members said that they did not want a repeat of the 2016 impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye.
She left office following months of candlelit protests over an influence-peddling scandal.
Her downfall triggered the implosion of the party and a victory by liberals in presidential and general elections.
Protests Outside Parliament
In scenes reminiscent of those protests, thousands of demonstrators holding candles assembled outside parliament on Friday night demanding Yoon’s impeachment.
Demonstrations Expected On Saturday
On Saturday, More demonstrations are expected ahead of the vote.
Prosecutors, the police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials have all launched probes into Yoon and senior officials involved in the martial law decree.
(With inputs from Reuters)
