South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is likely to withstand an impeachment motion after lawmakers from the ruling party refrained from participating in Saturday’s parliamentary session.

Ahead of the vote, several legislators exited the parliamentary chamber, protesting the proposed impeachment over Yoon's imposition of a brief period of martial law earlier this week. Only two members of the ruling party were reported to have stayed behind.

For the impeachment vote to proceed, at least 200 lawmakers must be present. From outside the chamber, opposition legislators shouted, urging those who left to return and calling them “cowards” for their actions.

While voting is officially underway, the boycott has rendered the vote inconsequential, with insufficient numbers to advance the motion. Less than two-thirds of lawmakers remain within the assembly hall.

If the motion fails as expected, lawmakers will have their next opportunity to vote on President Yoon’s impeachment on Wednesday, December 11.

Earlier on Saturday, Yoon spoke publicly for the first time since his declaration of martial law stirred political turmoil and incited impeachment efforts. He offered a public apology to the nation for the chaos caused.

“The decision to declare martial law was born out of desperation as the one ultimately responsible for national affairs,” Yoon explained in a brief two-minute address.

Read more: Yoon Suk Yeol: The conservative president who sang ‘American Pie’ and attempted to suspend democracy

“I offer my deepest apologies to the citizens who have undoubtedly been alarmed,” Yoon said. He also acknowledged the widespread “distress and inconvenience” caused by his actions.

Yoon added, “I am prepared to face the legal and political consequences stemming from the martial law declaration.”

The controversy began late Tuesday night when Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law during a televised address. He accused the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, of collaborating with North Korea and engaging in “anti-state activities.” He also criticized their efforts to impeach senior prosecutors and block the government’s budget plan.

However, Yoon’s directive was overturned within six hours as lawmakers bypassed military personnel to reconvene in parliament and unanimously revoke the declaration.

Addressing rumors on Saturday of a possible repeat attempt, Yoon firmly stated, “There will be no second instance of constitutional amendments under my authority.”

He vowed to entrust his party with stabilizing the political climate and added, “Once again, I deeply apologize to the citizens for the unease I have caused.” Following his remarks, Yoon exited the podium with a bow.

While the imposition of martial law was brief, it sparked widespread anger and anguish among South Koreans, many of whom still recall the oppressive military rule that preceded the country’s fight for democracy in the 1980s.

Since the incident, Yoon has faced mounting calls for his impeachment from protesters and political opponents. Even within his own party, his support has begun to falter, and dissent is growing within the military.

Even if Yoon survives the impeachment vote, his future remains uncertain. The leader of his own People Power Party declared that his resignation seems “inevitable.”

Speaking to the press on Friday, Han Dong-hoon, the party’s chief, issued a striking condemnation, claiming it was now “impossible for the president to carry out his duties properly.”

Han further added that Yoon should step down immediately to safeguard the country from “significant risks.” This shift in Han’s stance has amplified the pressure on Yoon ahead of the parliamentary vote.

Yoon’s apology on Saturday followed the emergence of new details regarding a controversial arrest list he reportedly devised amid the turmoil—a revelation that further inflamed criticism. The list is said to have played a role in Han’s decision to publicly denounce the president.

Shortly after declaring martial law, Yoon reportedly instructed Hong Jang-won, the first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, to “seize the moment to arrest and cleanse everything.” The president allegedly promised to support the intelligence agency with resources and personnel needed to carry out a counter-intelligence operation.

These details were initially disclosed during a briefing to lawmakers, and Hong later corroborated the claims in discussions with CNN.

According to legislators familiar with the situation, Hong discovered the arrest list through the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) and reportedly described the entire idea as “insane.”

The list allegedly included high-profile figures, including opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, as well as Han Dong-hoon himself, further fueling tensions within the ruling party.

This story has been updated as new information has surfaced.