In a fiery televised statement, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his short-lived martial law decree as a necessary act of governance and vowed to “fight to the end” in the face of opposition-led attempts to impeach him,

South Korean assets tumbled after the country’s president declared martial law, sparking investor concern about political instability and unrest.

The leader of Asia’s fourth-largest economy claims “criminal groups” have paralyzed state affairs as he fights to remain in power. President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment motion brought after he declared martial law on Dec.