Ryu Hyuk, Ministry of Justice Inspector General, Resigns Immediately After Emergency Martial Law
"No Intention to Comply with Orders or Instructions Related to Martial Law"
"Public Officials Could Become Like Auschwitz Guards"
Ryu Hyuk, the Ministry of Justice Inspector General (56, Judicial Research and Training Institute class 26), who resigned after President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, criticized the decision, saying it was made under a judgment "close to mental confusion."
On the night of the 3rd, Inspector General Ryu refused to attend the martial law meeting convened by Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae following President Yoon's declaration of martial law and immediately submitted his resignation. Upon hearing about the emergency meeting at the Ministry of Justice, he went to the minister's conference room on the 7th floor and, upon learning that the meeting was related to martial law, reportedly told Minister Park that he had "no intention of carrying out any orders or instructions related to martial law."
Ryu Hyuk, Inspector General of the Ministry of Justice, is speaking about the emergency martial law. MBC news footage
On the 4th, Inspector General Ryu told MBC, "If this is not a disruption of the constitutional order, then what is?" He added, "In this delusion that this is a crisis situation faced alone, confusing personal safety with national safety, the martial law was declared under a judgment close to mental confusion."
He also said, "It's not April Fool's Day, so how could such a thing happen?" and tearfully added, "I still can't believe it. I can't even believe that I am doing this interview right now." He further argued, "If the order started from an illegal martial law, then even if a public official performs their usual duties, they could be in the position of a guard operating the gas chambers of Auschwitz."
He continued, "Just as it took over a decade to bring former President Chun Doo-hwan to court, no matter how long it takes, those involved must be punished according to their degree of participation for the crime of rebellion," emphasizing, "As long as the Republic of Korea remains a constitutional state, this will be clearly defined as an act of rebellion and will be recorded in history forever."
Inspector General Ryu retired from the prosecution after serving as the head of the Tongyeong branch office in 2019 and was appointed as the Ministry of Justice Inspector General in July 2020, with a term lasting until July 2025. In 2020, he also raised objections when then-Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae forcibly suspended Prosecutor General Yoon Suk-yeol and requested disciplinary action against him.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
