In Defiant Speech, South Korea’s President Defends Martial Law Decree

In a surprise shift from remorse to defiance, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea on Thursday refused to step down and lashed out at those who sought to oust him over his short-lived decision to place his country under military rule.

Mr. Yoon has faced mounting pressure from all sides after his decision on Dec. 3 to declare martial law and send troops into the National Assembly. Tens of thousands of protesters have demanded his resignation, impeachment or arrest. His own party suggested that he resign early. The opposition has vowed to impeach him. The police are investigating possible insurrection charges against him.

Just last Saturday — the last time he addressed his country — Mr. Yoon had sounded contrite. In a televised speech, he had apologized for his martial law declaration and said that he would let his party decide how long he should stay in office. But on Thursday, he unexpectedly doubled down on his original stance, defending the decree as a bold move to “save the country” from what he called the “anti-state” opposition parties, which he accused of using a legislative majority to paralyze the nation.

“I will proudly confront it, whether it’s impeachment or investigation,” Mr. Yoon said. “I will fight to the end.”

Mr. Yoon’s speech on Thursday at least made his intentions clear: He would not be pressured to resign, and he would fight in court if he were to be impeached. But his refusal to leave office risked further incensing Koreans who, according to opinion polls, overwhelmingly disapproved of his martial law declaration and support impeachment.

After Mr. Yoon’s speech on Thursday, dozens of people showed up at Mr. Yoon’s residence in central Seoul, blowing vuvuzelas, beating drums and yelling, “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol!” The police held them back.