On December 7 at 10 AM KST, South Korea's President Yoon Seok Yeol issued an official apology to the nation for his declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday, December 3. 

Read the President's full statement below.

"To the people of South Korea. On December 3 at 11 PM KST, I issued a declaration of emergency martial law. Approximately 2 hours later on December 4 at 1 AM KST, the National Assembly voted to reverse the declaration, and per this decision, the army was ordered to retreat. The martial law declaration was subsequently lifted through a cabinet meeting.

As the head of this country's government, my decision to declare emergency martial law was based on desperation. However, it was a decision that generated apprehension and unease from the nation's people.

For this, I feel apologetic. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to the people of South Korea for the shock I caused.

I will not evade any legal or political responsibilities related to the martial law declaration. Furthermore, there is talk of another declaration of martial law. I would like to make clear that a second declaration of martial law will not occur under any circumstances.

To the people of South Korea. From this day forward until the end of my tenure, I will entrust the ruling party with restoring stability to the state of affairs of our country. The cabinet and the ruling party will take complete responsibility in administering state affairs.

Once again, I bow my head in apology to the people of our country for causing concerns."

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