Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong Denies Knowing About the Martial Law Clause on 'Punishment of Medical Residents'

"Opposed to Martial Law Declaration... Was Very Shocked"
"Different from Government Policy to Induce Return through Dialogue and Persuasion"

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong revealed that he "opposed the declaration of martial law" at the Cabinet meeting he attended just before President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law. Regarding the martial law command headquarters' proclamation, which included orders for residents to return to work and warnings of "punishment if they do not return," he emphasized that he "was not aware of it in advance and does not agree with it."

Minister Cho appeared at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee plenary session on the 5th and responded to lawmakers' questions about the Cabinet meeting on the night of the 3rd, when martial law was on the agenda, saying, "I attended the meeting around 10:17 p.m." and "I did not agree with the declaration of martial law and expressed opposition." However, he added, "Since I entered near the end of the meeting, I do not know what discussions took place earlier."

Regarding the martial law command headquarters' proclamation containing the phrase, "All medical personnel, including residents who are on strike or have left the medical field, must return to their duties within 48 hours and work diligently, and violations will be punished under the Martial Law Act," Minister Cho strongly emphasized, "I absolutely do not agree." He said, "It contradicts the government's policy of inducing return through dialogue, persuasion, and steady medical reform, and the expression was very harsh and extreme," adding, "(Among the six items in the proclamation) it was the only one targeting a specific profession, so I cannot agree."

Regarding the circumstances under which the clause "punishment if residents do not return," questioned by Seo Mi-hwa of the Democratic Party of Korea, was included in the proclamation, he replied, "I do not know." Minister Cho said, "I only learned of that clause after seeing the proclamation," and "I was very surprised when I saw it." When asked if he expressed opinions about the proclamation at the Cabinet meeting, he denied, saying "No," and when asked if the President and the Ministry of Health and Welfare had prior discussions, he said, "There was absolutely no such thing."

When asked by Kim Seon-min of the Innovation Party whether he agreed that the martial law was illegal and unconstitutional, Minister Cho reaffirmed, "I agree." Also, when asked if there were ministers who physically tried to block it during the meeting, he said, "I was too shocked and confused. Honestly, I do not remember who said what."

Minister Cho did not attend the Cabinet meeting that lifted martial law in the early morning of the 4th, and regarding the circumstances, he explained, "I received a text message around 2 a.m. but only found out around 4 a.m.," adding, "If I had known, I would have definitely attended."