"'I asked to stop filming'... Rebuttal to the 'bowed apology by the martial law troops'"

Netizens Refute Reporter Heo Jaehyun's Claim
"Telling Not to Film Is Not an Apology"
"Artificial Interpretation Beyond Journalism"

A martial law soldier is bowing to a citizen. YouTube channel 'TV Heo Jae-hyun'

After President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, a scene of an armed martial law soldier apologizing to a citizen spread online, but an interpretation emerged that "the apology was not for entering the National Assembly but a request to stop filming."

On the 4th, an X (formerly Twitter) user stated, "Reporter Heo Jae-hyun of Report Act made a contrived interpretation that deviates from journalism," and claimed, "He cut out only that scene and wrote it as if the martial law soldier was apologizing for entering the National Assembly as a citizen." He further explained, "The context of the video is that as the retreating soldier was followed and continuously filmed and talked to, he said, 'Sorry, but please stop filming now.'"

Earlier that day, reporter Heo uploaded a video titled "Martial law soldier bows and says 'Sorry' to citizens before retreating from the National Assembly" on his YouTube channel 'TV Heo Jae-hyun.' Around the middle of this 9-minute and 34-second video, a scene showed a martial law soldier bowing his head to a citizen. Regarding this, reporter Heo said, "There was an unnamed martial law soldier who bowed his waist and said 'Sorry' to the citizens who had gathered in front of the National Assembly to protest today," and mentioned, "That soldier looked very upright at a glance."

A martial law soldier is bowing to a citizen. YouTube channel 'TV Heo Jae Hyun'

He continued, "All anger disappeared in the clear eyes behind the young man's glasses, and I felt endless pity and gratitude together," adding, "In that brief moment when he bowed once, twice, and three times while saying 'Sorry,' I felt your sincerity. That sincerity seemed to say, 'We are on the same side of democracy.'" He concluded, "I was a citizen and a reporter who received your greeting. I will remember your words that guarded the dawn of the democratic republic for a lifetime," and added, "Please complete your military service in good health and return to our society as a healthy young man. Thank you very much."

Immediately after the video was posted, many netizens responded with comments such as, "I cried because both my sons are soldiers," "Seeing the young soldier's appearance makes my heart ache," and "Those soldiers are also our people. They must all feel the same way." However, some netizens expressed doubts about reporter Heo's explanation, saying, "It sounds like a nuance of asking not to film, so how is it an apology for entering the National Assembly?" "They are just those who pointed guns at the people," and "It only looks like they want to go comfortably and are asking not to be filmed."

The aides and officials inside the main office blocked the entrances on the 1st and 2nd floors with desks and chairs to prevent the martial law troops from entering. Online community

Earlier, on the night of the 3rd, President Yoon held an emergency national address and declared martial law. In response, martial law soldiers gathered at the National Assembly and attempted to enter the main building around midnight, leading to clashes with Secretariat staff and party aides who tried to block them. Those inside the main building barricaded the entrance with desks and chairs to prevent the soldiers' entry. The soldiers then forcibly entered by breaking glass windows from outside, and the staff sprayed fire extinguishers at them. Eventually, a motion to lift martial law was passed through the plenary session, and the martial law soldiers withdrew. The government then lifted martial law at 4:30 a.m. following a Cabinet meeting.