Kim Byung-joo: "Yoon, who lifted martial law without apology, cannot be recognized as president"

"President Park An-su, Reported to Have Gone to Yongsan Last Night"

Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's lifting of the emergency martial law after six hours, Kim Byung-joo, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "President Yoon did not apologize and lifted the martial law as if he was doing the National Assembly a favor," adding, "A president who does not utter a single apology cannot be recognized as president."

In the early morning of the 4th, opposition party lawmakers are watching President Yoon Seok-yeol's statement on the lifting of martial law in the National Assembly plenary session hall. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim, a former four-star general, stated on June 4th on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "The emergency martial law has caused public anxiety and internationally damaged the country's credibility," and raised his voice, saying, "We are a democratic advanced country, so how would the international community view us?"

Regarding military movements before and after the declaration of martial law, Kim said, "It appears that the military was not practically prepared and only a few units moved," adding, "The Fire Brigade Special Task Force, Airborne Units, and Unit 707 were mobilized. In fact, the Fire Brigade personnel had already left work and were engaged in routine evening duties, but after President Yoon announced the martial law, an emergency was declared. The personnel deployed were in a state of confusion."

Regarding speculation that Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo was not aware of the martial law in advance, he said, "We received a report that General Park entered Yongsan yesterday afternoon," adding, "It seems he became aware around that time, and the Fire Brigade Commander, Counterintelligence Commander, and Special Forces Commander probably knew around then as well. When we checked with some three-star and four-star officers at the front lines, they said they were unaware."

Regarding the Democratic Party's emergency caucus meeting, he said, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's emergency martial law declaration is an unforgivable act of treason, and since he has lost the ability to govern, the conclusion was that he must resign," adding, "It was also decided to proceed with the impeachment motion process."