Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has expressed regret for failing to prevent last week’s emergency martial law declaration and vowed to take full responsibility.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the prime minister said while he consistently opposed the emergency martial law declaration on the night of December 3, he will still take full responsibility for all the events that have led to the current situation.

He said he feels a heavy sense of responsibility for the incident and apologized for causing pain and confusion to each and every citizen.

Han said the country is facing an unprecedented situation and stressed the importance of restoring stability as swiftly as possible. 

He also called for the nation to be governed stably according to the Constitution and the rule of law.