Mr Yoon issued an apology over his martial law decree, and claimed that he would not shirk legal or political responsibility for the decision. He said he would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office”.

South Korean police said they are reviewing whether to impose an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as they joined a race to investigate the embattled leader over his brief declaration of martial law.