Jo Kyung-tae: "Confusion Over Choo Kyung-ho's Summons Text... Some Lawmakers Who Went to the Venue Also Oppose Martial Law"

"Massive Costs Incurred Due to Incorrect Martial Law Declaration"

Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, is facing criticism for summoning lawmakers to the party headquarters instead of the National Assembly after the declaration of martial law, thereby obstructing their participation in the plenary session vote. Some suspect that this was an attempt to induce a lack of quorum in the plenary session to block the passage of the 'Resolution Demanding the Lifting of Martial Law.'

On the 4th, Cho Kyung-tae, a People Power Party lawmaker, pointed out on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that confusion arose among lawmakers as Choo repeatedly changed the meeting location via text messages.

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in an emergency statement on the night of the 3rd. In the early morning of the 4th, at the National Assembly plenary session in Yeouido, Seoul, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties passed a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law with 190 members present and 190 votes in favor. Yonhap News

However, he said, "Regardless of being pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) or pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon), there were probably no lawmakers who supported the martial law," adding, "Even the lawmakers who went to the party headquarters likely did not support this wrongful declaration of martial law."

Rep. Cho emphasized, "The president's declaration of martial law caused enormous tangible and intangible costs," and stressed, "Severe responsibility must be held." He also added, "If the Cabinet meeting had been held yesterday, all cabinet members who attended should resign en masse."

The previous day, President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law around 10:25 p.m. However, 190 lawmakers attended the National Assembly plenary session, and the resolution demanding the lifting of martial law was passed unanimously. President Yoon lifted the martial law declaration through a live broadcast statement at around 4:27 a.m. on the 4th. Only 18 out of 108 People Power Party lawmakers attended the plenary session.

[Rebuttal Report]

This newspaper reported on December 4, 2024, on the political page of the Asia Economy website under the headline , stating that In response, the People Power Party and Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho stated, "At that time, Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho announced the first lawmakers' meeting location after martial law as the National Assembly and did not obstruct the vote to lift martial law in the National Assembly." This report is pursuant to the mediation of the Press Arbitration Commission.