South Korea's former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was stopped from attempting suicide while in detention in connection with last week's martial law case, officials reported. Meanwhile, South Korean police conducted a raid on the presidential office compound on Thursday as part of an investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law last week, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Authorities sent police to the presidential office compound to "obtain documents and materials," following a similar effort that was blocked by security guards the previous day, as per the report.

The liberal opposition Democratic Party announced plans to submit a fresh motion to impeach President Yoon following his December 3 declaration of martial law—the first such move in South Korea in over four decades. A previous impeachment attempt on Saturday failed after ruling party lawmakers boycotted the vote.

South Korea's President Yoon pledges to 'fight to the end'

Embattled South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his controversial decision to declare martial law last week, claiming it was necessary to safeguard the nation’s democracy.

In an unexpected televised address on Thursday, Yoon described the move as a legal measure to "prevent the collapse" of democracy and to counter what he called the opposition’s "parliamentary dictatorship".

Despite mounting pressure, Yoon indicated he would not resign ahead of a second parliamentary vote on his impeachment scheduled for Saturday.

"I will stand firm whether I'm impeached or investigated," he declared. "I will fight to the end."

In his first address since apologizing over the weekend, President Yoon reiterated many of the same arguments he made when he declared martial law: that the opposition posed a threat, and that by taking control, he was attempting to protect the public and defend democracy.

However, Yoon also emphasized that he would not shirk his "legal and political responsibilities."

Dive deeper

Just before President Yoon's address, his party leader, Han Dong-hoon, appeared on television, stating that it had become clear the president would not resign. Han then urged party members to vote to remove him from office this Saturday.

If South Korea's parliament passes an impeachment bill, the case would go to a constitutional court, where two-thirds of the court would need to uphold the majority for Yoon to be permanently removed from office.

Yoon has been a lame-duck president since the opposition won a landslide victory in the April general election. His government has struggled to pass legislation and has been forced to veto bills proposed by the opposition.

He also accused DPRK sympathizers of attempting to undermine his government when he declared martial law on December 3.

The announcement sparked political chaos, with protesters clashing with security forces outside the National Assembly building as lawmakers scrambled to overturn Yoon's order. Yoon rescinded the martial law order hours later after it was blocked by lawmakers.

Since then, the country has remained tense, with large protests and strikes calling for Yoon's impeachment.

Yoon's dramatic use of power has reportedly thrown South Korean politics into chaos, disrupted its foreign policy initiatives, and unsettled financial markets. 

Read next: South Korea-US alliance undeterred despite leadership crisis: MoD