South Korea’s President apologises, but doesn’t resign before impeachment vote

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologised Saturday but stopped short of resigning, after his declaration of martial law this week set off widespread protests and plunged the country into political turmoil.

Yoon said he was deeply sorry for causing anxiety and discomfort, and bowed his head before cameras during a speech that lasted just over two minutes.

The speech was Yoon’s first appearance in public since Wednesday morning, when he succumbed to public pressure to rescind his order. The brief period the nation lived under martial law harked back to painful memories of the dictatorships in the 1980s, making Yoon even more unpopular with South Koreans and isolating him from his own party.

Protesters were heading to Seoul from across the country Saturday for what is expected to be the biggest demonstration this week demanding Yoon resign. The National Assembly is set to vote Saturday afternoon on a motion for his impeachment, which to pass needs at least eight lawmakers from his party join the opposition in voting for it.

Here is what else to know:

— There is no guarantee that Yoon will have enough support from his own People Power Party to survive the impeachment vote, which was expected to begin at 5 p.m. Han Dong-hoon, the head of the party, said after Yoon’s speech that it had become impossible for the president to continue and that his resignation was inevitable.

— Unions, opposition parties and other groups have called for huge demonstrations against Yoon on Saturday. A massive crowd is expected at the main protest outside the National Assembly before the impeachment vote, according to police in Seoul.

— Protesters have mobilised across South Korea to build pressure on Yoon. Activists have organised transportation from major cities to Seoul for the demonstration at the National Assembly. Others are sharing information about cafes that are offering free drinks.