South Korean president dodges first impeachment attempt over martial law fiasco

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday survived an initial legislative bid to impeach him for a bungled effort to impose martial law after most lawmakers from his conservative governing party boycotted the vote.

The failed vote , however, showed no sign of ending public anger at Yoon as protests continued to rage.

 One survey found a majority of South Koreans support the president's impeachment.

Yoon apologized Friday for his short-lived martial law declaration earlier this week, which caused political chaos in the country and triggered calls for his impeachment.

Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday amid struggles with the opposition-controlled legislature, vowing to eliminate "anti-state" forces and North Korean sympathizers. He later reversed the order after lawmakers rejected the move in a vote.

The leader of Yoon's own political party has voiced support for removing the sitting president, claiming that he posed a "grave danger" to the country.

“This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs,” Yoon said in a two-minute address. “I am deeply sorry and sincerely apologize to the citizens who must have been greatly shocked."

Yoon also quelled rumors that he might try to invoke martial law again, claiming that there would be no "second attempt." He also said he would not try to dodge the legal and political consequences of the order.

“I will entrust my party with methods to stabilize the political situation, including the remainder of my term," Yoon said at the end of his speech. "I apologize to the citizens for the concerns I have caused."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.