Few Ministers Confirm Attendance at Cabinet Meeting
Majority of Ministries Unable to Confirm
All Cabinet Members Resign on the 4th
Korean Prime Minister Holds Meeting on Cabinet Resignation
Controversy is growing over the Cabinet meeting held before President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the evening of the 3rd. Questions have been raised about whether the Cabinet meeting's deliberation process was lawful and whether it constitutes treason, while even the Cabinet members who attended that day have not been properly identified. Many government ministries have remained silent without disclosing whether their ministers attended. It is reported that all Cabinet members submitted their resignations on the 4th.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and related ministers and vice ministers are leaving the meeting room after discussing current issues on the 4th at the Cabinet Meeting Room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
As of the afternoon of that day, three Cabinet members were confirmed to have attended the Cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration: Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong, and Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong. Minister Kim proposed the martial law, Minister Song attended both Cabinet meetings held before and after the declaration, and Minister Cho attended only the meeting before the declaration.
Several ministries, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, have not confirmed whether their ministers attended the Cabinet meeting. The Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Education stated that their ministers did not attend the Cabinet meeting the previous day.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has not disclosed whether he attended the Cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration. It was indirectly indicated that he attended the Cabinet meeting held early that morning. The Prime Minister's Office stated, "Today's Cabinet meeting (which resolved the lifting of martial law) was presided over by the Prime Minister."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok has also not confirmed his attendance at the Cabinet meeting. However, reports that Deputy Prime Minister Choi attended the Cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration were released that morning. The Ministry of Economy and Finance has not issued any separate response regarding this.
The controversy over the Cabinet meeting held before the martial law declaration is gradually intensifying. According to the Martial Law Act, when the President declares martial law, it must be deliberated by the Cabinet meeting. At this time, the Cabinet meeting can be convened only if a majority of its members (19 members) are present. Since the attendees have not been disclosed, questions about legality have arisen.
Moreover, the Democratic Party of Korea has announced its intention to file charges of treason against Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and others. There are also moves in the National Assembly to indict Cabinet members. Additional controversies surrounding attendance are inevitable.
Meanwhile, it is reported that all Cabinet members submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Han in the morning. The Prime Minister is expected to hold a private meeting at the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong at 2 p.m. with the leadership of the People Power Party and presidential office aides to discuss matters related to the total resignation of the Cabinet.
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