Minister Yoon In-chon Absent from 'Emergency Martial Law Cabinet Meeting'... Urges Normalization of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Operations

Emphasizing 'No Policy Shift' Through Internal Meeting on the 4th

It has been confirmed that Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, did not attend the Cabinet meeting held on the night of the 3rd, presided over by President Yoon Suk-yeol, before the declaration of martial law.

Yoon In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 2024 Korea Advertising Conference held on the 3rd at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism] Yonhap News

On the 4th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism informed the press corps that “Minister Yoo did not attend yesterday’s Cabinet meeting but attended the Cabinet meeting this morning.”

The Cabinet meeting presided over by President Yoon at the Yongsan Presidential Office the previous day was a session to discuss the significant decision of declaring martial law. Although many Cabinet members expressed opposition to the declaration, it was ultimately approved. This has led to controversy and debate over the responsibility of those who attended the Cabinet meeting. However, some ministries appear reluctant to officially confirm whether their ministers attended the meeting.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Minister Yoo carried out official external schedules instead of attending the Cabinet meeting the previous day. He attended the 2024 Advertising Industry Development Merit Government Awards Ceremony and the Easy Korean Language Press Awards Ceremony at 2 p.m., delivering congratulatory remarks and presenting awards. He reportedly returned home in the evening.

On the day it was confirmed that Minister Yoo did not attend the Cabinet meeting, he canceled all external schedules and focused on internal meetings. At the Ministry’s directors’ meeting held at 2 p.m., he emphasized “to manage policies meticulously without being shaken by external circumstances” and instructed to proceed smoothly with the Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum and the Korea-China-Japan Sports Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for December. He also urged, “Closely monitor international tourism trends, strengthen close communication with the industry, and enhance diplomatic cooperation.”

Regarding this incident, all Cabinet members, including Minister Yoo, have expressed their intention to resign to take responsibility for President Yoon’s declaration and lifting of martial law. Accordingly, all official schedules of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have been temporarily suspended.

However, on the 5th, the Ministry plans to hold a staff assembly at the Sejong office building and urge employees to remain diligent in their work as usual.