Baku, December 7, AZERTAC

South Korean media outlets say the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-Yeol is expected to fail, according to NHK World.

Lawmakers in South Korea are set to vote on the motion to impeach President Yoon following his surprise attempt to impose martial law.

But most lawmakers of the ruling PPP have left the chamber in the National Assembly ahead of a vote on a motion to impeach President Yoon.

They say the ruling party lawmakers have left after taking part in a vote on a bill to appoint a special prosecutor over allegations against Yoon's wife Kim Keon-hee.

The ruling PPP held a plenary session to finalize its stance ahead of the vote. The party says it reaffirmed its opposition to the impeachment motion to be held on Saturday evening in a parliamentary vote. But it remains unclear whether its lawmakers will actually follow the party's policy as voting will take place anonymously.

Opposition parties want Yoon stripped of the presidency. The Democratic Party and five others submitted the motion to have him impeached.

The measure will pass if at least two-thirds of the National Assembly approve. But that would need to include at least eight lawmakers from the ruling party.

Yoon apologized on Saturday morning for imposing martial law on Tuesday night.

It was his first statement to the public since the lifting of martial law.

Yoon said the declaration of martial law stemmed from his sense of urgency as president, holding the ultimate position of responsibility in national politics. He said he is "sincerely sorry" for causing anxiety and inconvenience in the process.

Yoon went on to say that he will not sidestep legal and political responsibility for the declaration, and pledged that there will be no second imposition of martial law.

He said he will leave it up to his party to decide how to stabilize the political situation, including his position as president.

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, the country's largest opposition group, held a news conference after Yoon's speech. He called it very disappointing, and said the biggest risk to the country is Yoon as president. He said there is no other way except for his immediate resignation or impeachment.

People in Seoul are also highly critical of Yoon's speech.