"Learned About the Emergency Martial Law Declaration from the News"
Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, said on the 5th that he has "never judged" whether the declaration of martial law is unconstitutional. Regarding the current situation, he also stated that "the president is facing difficulties severe enough to declare martial law."
Minister Kim made these remarks during a meeting with reporters at the 'Youth Opening Tomorrow Day' event held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. In response to Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong's statement earlier that day at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee plenary session agreeing that "martial law is unconstitutional," he replied, "I have a different opinion."
Regarding the declaration of martial law, Minister Kim said, "I learned about it from the news." Concerning the collective resignation of the entire Cabinet, including himself, on the 4th, he explained, "We agreed that it would be better for the Cabinet to express their resignation during the process of lifting martial law," adding, "So the Cabinet collectively submitted their resignations."
Minister Kim did not attend the Cabinet meeting held on the 3rd before the declaration of martial law. However, he attended the Cabinet meeting for deliberation on lifting martial law. He explained, "Since it was approved by the National Assembly, we (the Cabinet members) all agreed to the lifting of martial law."
Regarding the Korea Federation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which announced its intention to suspend social dialogue, he said, "I hope it goes well," but added, "Worker welfare can never be improved by causing confusion in the current situation." On the KCTU strike, he expressed "great concern" and stated, "Illegal actions must be strictly dealt with according to the law."
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