Sang-min Lee on Martial Law 'Chungam High Line Conspiracy Theory': "We Never Met Separately"

President Yoon, Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun Graduated from Chungam High School

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min denied allegations that the so-called 'Chungam High School line,' including President Yoon Seok-yeol and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, gathered to prepare martial law, stating, "Chungam High School alumni have never gathered together."

On the 5th, during an urgent inquiry on martial law at the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee, Minister Lee responded to a question from Park Jeong-hyun of the Democratic Party, who asked, "Isn't it possible that Chungam High School, reminiscent of Chun Doo-hwan's 'Hana Club,' conspired to commit treason?"

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is returning to his seat during an urgent inquiry on the police response at the time of martial law, held on the 5th at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

When Park further asked, "Why say they never gathered? Didn't the Counterintelligence Command hold a dinner with three Chungam High School alumni earlier this year?" Minister Lee replied, "There were two Chungam High School alumni there."

Minister Lee is four years junior to President Yoon at Chungam High School. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who proposed martial law, Major General Yeo In-hyung of the Counterintelligence Command, and Major General Park Jong-seon of the 777th Command are also Chungam High School alumni. In this context, some have raised suspicions about Chungam High School alumni preparing for martial law.

When Park claimed that Minister Lee's support for martial law amounted to participation in treason, the minister retorted, "What do you mean by support? How can one block the president's authority? Does resigning from a position stop it?"

Regarding claims that President Yoon's declaration of martial law did not meet the requirements and procedures, he said, "whether the requirements and procedures were met will be verified afterward."