Seoul, Dec 12 (Reporter) South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has said he tried to dissuade President Yoon Suk Yeol from imposing martial law. "I made clear my opposition and made efforts to dissuade the president from his resolve. But I ultimately could not block it ... I am sorry, and I feel a lot of sense of guilt," Han was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency on Wednesday. Han added that he arrived at the president's office on December 3 and after learning of Yoon's intention to impose martial law, he decided to hold a cabinet meeting to try to persuade the president on behalf of all its members. Speaking about the reasons why he was against the president's decision, the prime minister said he told Yoon that it "would cause enormous difficulties for the economy and credit rating of the Republic of Korea and would not be accepted by the citizens." On December 3, Yoon declared martial law, claiming that the opposition was sympathising with North Korea and plotting a "rebellion." Parliament defied the presidential declaration and voted to lift the martial law. The office of the Speaker of parliament, Woo Won-shik, said that the president's declaration of martial law was invalid following the lawmakers' vote. Shortly after, Yoon lifted the martial law and apologised to the nation. The president was later banned from leaving the country amid an investigation into the botched martial law, while former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun was arrested as part of a probe into a potential treason case...////...