South Korea marks 1st anniversary of failed martial law

• 25 main opposition lawmakers apologize to nation over martial law bid, vows to fully cut political ties with former president Yoon
  
  ANKARA

South Korea on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the martial law imposed by former President Yoon Suk Yeol as President Lee Jae Myung said he will designate Dec. 3 as a day for "people's sovereignty" to mark the failed martial law bid that put the nation into turmoil a year ago.

In a special national address on the first anniversary of the short-lived martial law declaration, Lee said that by “defeating an unjust power” through peaceful means, the South Korean people had shown themselves “fully deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize,” according to Yonhap News.

"It was the first time since the beginning of the 21st century that a coup occurred in a democracy like South Korea. Equally unprecedented in world history, the coup was peacefully and beautifully prevented by the hands of unarmed citizens," Lee said, describing it as the "revolution of light."

"Ironically, the Dec. 3 coup became an opportunity to showcase to the world the high level of civic consciousness of our people and the remarkable resilience of South Korea's democracy," he said.

Lee added the government, formed in the aftermath of the “revolution of light,” would formally designate Dec. 3 as National Sovereignty Day in honor of citizens’ courage.

In a follow-up press conference, he confirmed that the government intends to make it a public holiday.

President Lee also said that he intend to make apology to North Korea over the Yoon's administration alleged dispatch of drones to Pyongyang to distribute anti-regime leaflets, however, the current political landscape make such gesture difficult, according to The Korea Times.

“On one side, I think we need to apologize, but on the other side, I worry that (an apology) could become an issue of political and ideological conflict, where the administration would be labeled pro-North Korea,” he said.

On Wednesday, South Korean Unification Ministry said that the parliament has passed a law banning propaganda leaflets through unmanned balloons across the border into North Korea.

"With the revision of the Aviation Safety Act, the distribution of anti-North leaflets that has hindered inter-Korean relations and threatened safety and peace in border regions is likely to be stopped," the ministry said in a release.

Meanwhile, a group of 25 lawmakers from main opposition People Power Party also issued a public apology, calling the Dec. 3, martial law imposition an "unconstitutional and undemocratic act."

"We deeply apologize to the public, as members of the then ruling party, for failing to stop the martial law in advance and causing great pain and confusion," they said, bowing their heads in apology.

The lawmakers also vowed to fully cut political ties with Yoon and all others responsible for the martial law crisis.

Yoon imposed martial law on Dec. 3 last year, but parliament overturned it within six hours. He was later impeached and removed from office.

In January, he was arrested and indicted for abuse of power and leading an insurrection, making him the first sitting president to be kept in custody.

In March, he was released after a court order. However, in July, he was again arrested and has been in jail.

The former president was ousted by the Constitutional Court in April and had his impeachment upheld by the National Assembly in December.

Yoon was indicted by prosecutors on charges of insurrection and abuse of authority for the martial law decree.