Woo Won-shik: "No Second Martial Law"... Deputy Defense Minister: "That Won't Happen"

'Second Martial Law Speculation' Addressed by National Assembly and Government

Rumors of Presidential Visit to National Assembly Circulate

Woo Won-shik: "Yoon, Please Postpone the Visit"

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Kim Sun-ho, Deputy Minister of National Defense (acting minister), stated on the 6th, "The claims of a 'second martial law situation' raised by some are completely untrue." He also said, "Even if there were demands for martial law, the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff would absolutely not accept them."

Deputy Minister Kim held an emergency briefing at the Ministry of National Defense on this day and made these remarks. He said, "I take full responsibility for causing concern and anxiety to the public regarding the martial law situation on December 3rd," and added, "I sincerely apologize once again." He continued, "Regarding the recent martial law situation, the Ministry of National Defense will actively cooperate with the prosecution's investigation," emphasizing that "military prosecutors will also be dispatched to ensure a joint investigation."

A Ministry of National Defense official also met with reporters and reiterated, "No military measures have been taken at the Ministry level," and emphasized again, "There is no need to worry about a second martial law." The Joint Chiefs of Staff also firmly stated, "There will be no second martial law." Lee Jin-woo, Commander of the Capital Defense Command, appeared on a YouTube live broadcast by Kim Byung-joo, a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, and said about the possibility of declaring a 'second martial law,' "That will never happen," and "The primary mission of the Capital Defense Command is to protect the citizens of Seoul. We will never follow illegal and inappropriate orders." Commander Lee was suspended from duty at the Ministry of National Defense on this day.

The Military Human Rights Center held a press conference at its office in Sinchon-ro, Seoul, and claimed, "Multiple units received instructions on the 4th that, according to higher command guidelines, commanders above company level may be subject to emergency assembly until the 8th, thus controlling leave," suggesting "suspicious circumstances of a second martial law." Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, also mentioned at an emergency supreme council meeting that considering President Yoon Suk-yeol has not taken personnel actions against military officials known to be involved in martial law, including Counterintelligence Commander Yeon In-hyung, there is a possibility of a 'second martial law.'

On this day, there were rumors in political circles that President Yoon would visit the National Assembly. In response, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik stated in an emergency address, "There can be no second martial law, and it will not be tolerated," and requested, "If President Yoon plans to visit the National Assembly, please postpone it."

Speaker Woo warned, "If there is another misjudgment like declaring martial law, the Speaker and members of the National Assembly will do everything to prevent it."

Reporter Seol Ji-yeon sjy@hankyung.com