Oh Se-hoon: "Extreme 'Bangtan Gukhoe' Martial Law is the Main Cause... Need to Reassess National Governance Structure"

"Martial Law, an Act Against the Essence of Democracy
Clear Accountability Must Be Demanded from Participants"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon strongly criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law, while emphasizing that the current situation was triggered by the opposition party's 'extreme bulletproof National Assembly.' He also argued that there is a need to review the national governance structure going forward.

On the afternoon of the 4th, Mayor Oh held an emergency briefing at Seoul City Hall and stated, "The unjustified declaration of martial law is an act that goes against the essence of democracy," adding, "Moreover, the entry of martial law troops into the National Assembly was a direct violation of the separation of powers. It was an act that turned back the clock on the development of the history of the Republic of Korea." The night before the martial law was declared, Mayor Oh had also officially expressed his stance on Facebook, saying, "I oppose martial law. Martial law must be withdrawn."

Yonhap News

At the same time, he pointed to the ruling opposition party as the background for the situation in which martial law was declared. Mayor Oh said, "Considering the fact that the extreme bulletproof National Assembly for the administrative and judicial impeachment of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was the biggest cause that triggered this situation, it is necessary to reexamine the national governance structure. As a senior member of the ruling party, I will start gathering the wisdom of the people along with contemplating solutions to this situation," he said.

He cited verification and accountability of those involved as the top priority. Mayor Oh said, "The most urgent matter now is a thorough investigation," adding, "Through this, those who participated in acts that destroy democracy must be held clearly responsible. We must show that our democracy is not so easily broken."

Mayor Oh is expected to speak further on future investigations and accountability related to the martial law declaration. Kim Byung-min, Seoul City Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs, told reporters after Mayor Oh’s briefing, "Yesterday, we delivered a clear message opposing martial law, but as additional information was reported over the course of the day, it was decided that it would be better for the Seoul Mayor and a senior ruling party member to express their position on the current situation, which is why the emergency briefing was held," adding, "Since the situation is urgent, there will be further opportunities to discuss this."