Opposition: "Emergency Martial Law is Unconstitutional and Treason" vs Ruling Party: "Conclusion is Premature"

Assemblyman Park Beom-gye points out Proclamation No. 1
Assemblyman Im Jong-deuk "No legal decision made"

The opposition party strongly criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law on the 5th, labeling it as treason. Some ruling party lawmakers rebutted, saying that such a conclusion is excessive.

The martial law troops are attempting to enter the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Park Beom-gye, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized during an emergency inquiry at the National Defense Committee that the Martial Law Command's Proclamation No. 1, announced at the time of martial law, explicitly prohibited "political activities against the National Assembly, etc.," calling it "unconstitutional, illegal, and invalid." He added, "The martial law declared by President Yoon Suk-yeol, which is the source of this proclamation, is illegal and therefore constitutes treason."

Park Seon-won, a Democratic Party lawmaker, stated, "Treason is a crime punishable by death," and said, "The Minister of National Defense and the Minister of the Interior and Safety, who have the authority to recommend martial law, are subjects of investigation, and the Army Chief of Staff who carried out the duties of the Martial Law Commander in this illegal martial law situation becomes a participant in treason or treason-related duties."

Kim Min-seok, a Democratic Party lawmaker, commented on former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, who was absent from the emergency inquiry after his dismissal was approved that day, saying, "It is highly likely that he fled overseas," and added, "All circumstances will be revealed through special investigations and parliamentary inquiries. Historically, both Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were punished."

On the other hand, Lim Jong-deuk, a member of the People Power Party, said, "Many lawmakers made disparaging remarks, categorically calling the Martial Law Commander guilty of 'treason,'" and added, "If there is wrongdoing, responsibility should be taken later, but it is undesirable to make such judgments before the constitutionality and legality are legally determined in the current situation."

Kang Seon-young, a People Power Party lawmaker, said, "I do not feel that there was an intention to completely block the National Assembly to the extent that this (martial law) constitutes treason or to prevent lawmakers from carrying out the normal procedures for lifting martial law," and added, "It is excessive to categorically call it treason at this point."