Police Chief's Controversial Remark: "Who Decided to Control Lawmakers Doesn't Matter"

Public Safety Committee Chair "Police Obstruct National Assembly Martial Law Lift"

On the 5th, Police Chief Jo Ji-ho sparked controversy by stating that whether the control of access to the National Assembly was his own decision or that of the Martial Law Commander "does not matter."

Shin Jeong-hoon, Chairman of the Public Administration and Security Committee. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, during the full meeting of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, Chief Jo responded to Committee Chairman Shin Jeong-hoon's inquiry about the blockade of the National Assembly by saying, "Naturally, controlling the National Assembly means controlling access for everyone."

Chief Jo stated, "The situation was rapidly unfolding, and I cannot recall every detail," adding, "Around 11:30, the Martial Law Commander called and requested that the National Assembly be controlled."

Kim Bong-sik, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said, "We judged that the full control included members of the National Assembly."

Chairman Shin emphasized, "I believe the police's judgment was part of creating an environment for the deployment of military martial law forces. It was a measure to nullify and obstruct the resolution demanding the lifting of martial law in the National Assembly," adding, "I am asking whether this was forced by the Martial Law Command, or if the Police Chief took a more active role, or if it was the Seoul Police Chief."