Yoon Suk-yeol, the former President of South Korea, has issued an apology for the hardships created by his controversial declaration of a state of emergency in December 2024, which occurred just a day after he was sentenced to life imprisonment for insurrection. In his statement, Yoon acknowledged that his attempt to impose military rule led to public dissatisfaction but maintained that his intentions were solely for the benefit of the people.

Yoon's public apology reflects the gravity of the situation he found himself in after the military declaration, the first since the 1980s, which surprised both the domestic populace and the international community. Following the declaration, he sent troops and helicopters to the parliament, a move that escalated tensions in the country. He later revoked the declaration the following morning after public outcry and criticism from various groups, including lawmakers and civic organizations.

Despite expressing regret for his actions and the turmoil they caused, Yoon condemned the court's ruling as "difficult to accept" but refrained from commenting on whether he plans to appeal the sentence. This incident highlights the political unrest and challenges facing South Korea, as well as the continuing implications for governance and public trust in the nation's leaders.