"'You Worry' Actor Lee Gwanhoon, Former 707 Unit, Captured Persuading Martial Law Troops"

Actor Lee Gwan-hoon (44), a former member of the 707 Special Mission Unit, was captured persuading martial law troops deployed to the National Assembly, drawing attention.

In a video released on the 4th by the YouTube channel 'Hwang Gija TV,' a man is seen attempting to talk to martial law troops entering the National Assembly. He introduced himself, saying, "I am a senior from 707. Although I was discharged 20 years ago, I am truly your senior, Sergeant Lee Gwan-hoon," and added, "I know you came under orders, but you need to calm down."

Actor Lee Gwan-hoon approaching the National Assembly and attempting to talk with soldiers. Screenshot from Hwang Gija TV YouTube broadcast.

He continued, "I spoke with my comrades. I heard more are coming by helicopter, so I came because I was worried," and urged, "No matter who ordered you, don’t use excessive force or block the way. I believe you will all make the right judgment." He also added, "We are worried about you too," and "Don’t take unnecessary actions."

The man who tried to communicate with the martial law troops is known to be actor Lee Gwan-hoon, who appeared in dramas such as 'Dae Jo-yeong.' He enlisted in the Special Forces 707 Special Mission Unit in 1999 and was discharged as a sergeant in 2004 before turning to acting. He debuted in 2006 with the KBS drama 'Dae Jo-yeong' and has appeared in various dramas including 'Road Number One,' 'Queen In-hyun’s Man,' 'Romance Is a Bonus Book,' and 'Fantasy Sonata.'

Netizens positively evaluated his response, saying it helped ease tensions between soldiers and citizens. Comments included, "It seems he helped keep things calm to prevent bloodshed," "Those words might have helped the young soldiers," "It’s good that he cooled down potential impulsive actions," "Calming the situation first is the priority in that scenario," and "His calm handling of a tense situation using his military experience was impressive."

On the night of the 3rd, after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law at the Yongsan Presidential Office, martial law troops attempted to enter the National Assembly main building around midnight on the 4th. When the troops tried to forcibly enter by breaking the glass windows of the National Assembly building, staff and party aides blocked them, leading to clashes. About two and a half hours after the martial law declaration, a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law was passed at the National Assembly early that morning. Subsequently, President Yoon lifted martial law at 4:30 a.m., and the military ordered the troops deployed under martial law to return to their units at 4:22 a.m.