President Yoon's speech today came just hours after his party reaffirmed its opposition to the impeachment vote.

Late last night, senior members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) confirmed that their official stance on the vote remained unchanged, despite party leader Han Dong-hoon stating earlier that day that he supported the immediate suspension of Yoon as president.

The party's reaffirmation followed a lengthy meeting of some of its lawmakers on Friday. Han didn't attend the meeting.

The opposition needs eight defectors from the PPP this afternoon for the motion to pass.

It's been a whirlwind day in South Korea already.

President Yoon this morning spoke publicly for the first time since the drama of Tuesday night's martial law declaration - refusing to quit but apologising for the distress he has caused.

The leader of his People Power Party responded quickly, making it clear he still believes Yoon's position is untenable.

Meanwhile, an array of party leaders rushed to gather the votes needed to force Yoon out through impeachment.

That vote will be unfolding in the coming hours. Two hundred people will need to support the motion for it to pass, and the opposition parties are only eight votes short of that mark.

Tessa Wong
reporting from Seoul

As we near the National Assembly we join a river of people streaming into Yeouido Park for a massive protest rally.

There are actually two in the vicinity, each with their own soundstage where rock bands have taken to the stage playing anthemic protest songs.

Flags flutter in the cold winter breeze, as protesters clutching blue balloons sing along. Some are lining up at carts selling hot food. The vibe is more music festival at the moment.

Image source, BBC/Tessa Wong

Image source, EPA

South Korean author Han Kang says it "felt like a bombshell" to witness how her country's political situation unfolded over the past four days.

Han, who was awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Literature, is well-versed on the events leading to South Korea's declaration of emergency martial law in 1979, having researched it at length for her 2014 novel Human Acts.

Speaking at a Nobel Week event in Sweden on Friday, Han said "it felt like a bombshell to witness a similar situation unfold before my own eyes in 2024".

What she witnessed were scenes of “sincerity and courage", Han said.

"I've seen people trying to restrain armed soldiers with their bare hands, and I've seen people trying to hold on in front of soldiers approaching with guns.

"It is my sincere hope that we do not return to the past, where control was imposed through force and coercion to silence voices."

By Tessa Wong and Leehyun Choi
reporting from Seoul

Image source, BBC / Tessa Wong

The latest polls in Korea show that nearly three quarters of South Koreans believe President Yoon must be impeached or step down.

Among them is Yang Soonsil. Speaking to us from her seafood stall at Namdaemun market, she told us that Yoon had to go.

“Watching the declaration of martial law on Tuesday was really scary. I cannot put into words how shocked I was. I couldn’t sleep that night,” said the 50-year-old. “I have completely lost trust in him as a president. I don’t think he’s my president any more."

“We will fight until the end when he’s impeached," Yang added. "The people of Korea will not accept him maintaining his position as president. Neither can I.”

By Tessa Wong and Leehyun Choi
Reporting in Seoul

President Yoon appeared contrite earlier today when he delivered a nationally televised apology to the nation. But for some South Koreans, it was too little, too late.

"Just words of apology is not enough. He must either step down voluntarily or be impeached, if he’s not willing to," said Han Jungmo, 59, who was shopping at Namdaemun market with his wife.

“As a president I see him as very unfit. Someone who has essentially broken trust with the people is not fit to be president."

Han added that if President Yoon continues trying to cling on to power, "it would be a very hopeless situation".

"I believe this martial law is not the only misdeed he has conducted within his presidency," he said. "Even if it was the first time he marred, one strike is enough for a president... Once you lose trust, you lose trust."

A man in his 50s has been hospitalised after trying to set himself on fire, Yonhap news agency reported.

Police say they received a call at 10:50 local time on Saturday from a man saying "I will commit suicide near the National Assembly" to "protest violence and injustice". The man reportedly sprayed paint thinner on himself before attempting self-immolation.

He was arrested at about 12:20 and later hospitalised. We'll bring you more details on this as we get them.

Image source, EPA

After more than three days of silence, Yoon's speech this morning was extraordinarily brief - and offered little clarity.

He led with an apology for his decision to impose martial law, something that shocked and angered a country which has tried to leave military rule behind. It came from a place of desperation, he said.

Yoon also ruled out attempting to use the drastic measure a second time, addressing persistent rumours that he may do so to try and seize control of the country again.

The biggest take away from the speech, however, was what he didn't say. Yoon did not make any offer to resign, and instead said he would leave the question of how to stabilise and run the country to his party.

It's unclear what that means exactly - but overall the speech appeared to be a last minute effort to shore up support within his own party ranks, ahead of the impeachment vote in parliament this afternoon.

We'll have to wait and see if it worked.

Tessa Wong
reporting from Seoul

Walking the streets of downtown Seoul, you can hear loud protest chants echo off the skyscrapers.

South Korea’s capital has seen a number of protests this week following Yoon’s declaration of martial law - but the anger is crescendoing today.

Several demonstrations are taking place this afternoon across the city, drawing thousands of people to the streets. Most appear to be anti-Yoon, though a few are being held in support for the embattled president.

Many of these protesters are likely to converge on the National Assembly, where lawmakers are due to hold a vote to impeach Yoon in the evening.

Image source, BBC / Tessa Wong

Welcome back to our live coverage of the rapidly developing political situation in South Korea.

The nation's parliament is due to vote this afternoon on a motion to impeach embattled president Yoon Suk Yeol, who is facing immense blowback after an abortive attempt to impose martial law earlier in the week.

President Yoon gave a brief speech this morning to reiterate that he would not step down - despite a growing chorus of voices calling for him to do so. He did apologise for the distress and disruption caused by the martial law declaration, but added that he would leave it up to his party to decide next steps.

Stay with us as we bring you updates throughout the day.

In his first address after declaring martial law earlier this week, President Yoon gave a very brief speech in which he reiterated that he would not step down.

He apologised for the distress and disruption he had caused, but said he would let his party decide how to stabilise and run the country.

We're pausing the live page for now - but join us later this afternoon as South Korea's parliament is due to vote on a motion to impeach Yoon.

Jean Mackenzie
reporting from Seoul

The president’s speech was brief – less than two minutes – and cryptic.

He apologised for his decision to impose martial law – a move that has shocked and angered this country. And he promised he wouldn’t attempt to do this again.

He said he’d acted out of desperation. On Tuesday, he blamed his political opposition for paralysing his government.

Yoon did not agree to resign. Instead, he said he’d let his party decide how to stabilise and run the country.

It’s not clear yet what this means. Most likely the details are being worked out behind the scenes.

This afternoon though, the President’s fate is in parliament’s hands, as members vote on whether to have him impeached.

Image source, Getty Images

Calling Yoon's speech "very disappointing", opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has said the president's brief remarks "did not fit the public’s expectations and only further betrayed them".

"The biggest risk to South Korea right now is the existence of the president himself. There is no other path but an early end to Yoon administration through resignation or impeachment," says Lee, an MP and leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

Laura Bicker
reporting from Seoul

In 2016, millions took to the streets week after week calling for the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. South Koreans have shown themselves to be determined and resilient protesters.

President Yoon’s approval rating is currently around 12%. His party may not want a new president right now. But the thousands gathering on the streets do.

We've just heard from President Yoon in a dramatic but brief address in which he said he would not be stepping down but apologised for imposing martial law.

But Han Dong-hoon - the leader of the president's party, The People Power Party - has said it is "impossible" for Yoon to continue. His early resignation is "inevitable", he says.

Jake Kwon
reporting from Seoul

President Yoon Suk Yeol did not offer to resign, or mention the impending impeachment vote, as had been speculated.

As we've reported, he did promise there would not be another martial law. The main opposition leader yesterday accused Yoon of plotting another martial law to grab power.

Yoon also said he will delegate the work of stabilising the situation to his ruling party - until the rest of his term, which is until 2027. He did not elaborate further.

Tessa Wong & Laura Bicker
reporting from Seoul

After three days of silence, we've just heard from President Yoon who apologised to the whole country in a televised speech.

It comes hours before lawmakers are due to vote for his impeachment at the national assembly.

This is the president’s second gamble of the week.

Apologise, look contrite but don’t resign and hope his party is worried enough about losing a presidential election that they won’t vote for impeachment.

He’s trying to keep whatever power he has left as president and ride out what could be a rough final two years in the hope the country will forgive and forget.

But the protests across Seoul are already growing larger and louder.

Image source, Getty Images

Yoon concludes his address by saying he leaves "the issue of his tenure" to his party.

"I will leave the decision on how to stabilise the country, including the issue of my tenure, to my party," he says

"My party and the government will be responsible for the future management of the country. I bow my head and apologise once again for any worries I may have caused the people."

"I won’t avoid any legal and political responsibility issues caused by this declaration," Yoon goes on to say.

"There are people wondering if there will be another martial law declaration, but I can tell you clearly: There definitely won’t be... another martial law declaration."

In his very brief first address to the nation, Yoon apologised for his decision to declare martial law.

"The decision was made from the desperation of me as the president," he says. "But it gave the people anxiety and inconveniences. I am very sorry and apologise to you."