On the 6th, it was revealed that Park Seong-jae, Minister of Justice, also attended the so-called 'Martial Law Cabinet Meeting' presided over by President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 3rd, just before the declaration of martial law. However, Minister Park remained silent about whether he expressed support or opposition to the declaration of martial law during the meeting.
On that day, Minister Park appeared before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and, when asked by Jang Kyung-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, whether he opposed the declaration of martial law at the Cabinet meeting, he confirmed his attendance but gave an ambiguous answer, saying, "Various opinions were expressed at the Cabinet meeting." Without specifying who made the remarks, Minister Park said, "There was a lot of discussion about whether taking such measures was appropriate," and added, "I think it is not right to disclose specific details."
When Representative Jang pointed out that if Minister Park had supported martial law at the Cabinet meeting, he could be considered an accomplice to treason, Minister Park responded, "The term 'treason' may differ from your judgment, Congressman."
Until the previous day, former Minister Park had refused to answer any questions about his attendance at the martial law Cabinet meeting. Even when questioned by the press corps, the Ministry of Justice stated, "We cannot respond regarding the minister's attendance at the Cabinet meeting or any expression of opinion by the minister." Amid criticism that the emergency martial law declared on December 3rd was unconstitutional, attention is focused on what opinions the Minister of Justice, who oversees the nation's legal affairs among the Cabinet members, expressed at the Cabinet meeting deliberating martial law on that day. If he did not oppose or restrain the declaration, it is expected to be difficult for the Minister of Justice to avoid criticism that he supported an unconstitutional declaration of martial law.
Meanwhile, a media outlet reported the day before that on the 4th, the day after the declaration of martial law, official vehicles of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of the Interior and Safety entered the President's 'An-ga (Safe House).' This attracted attention as the ministers of the key departments commanding the prosecution and police gathered in one place amid the political turmoil caused by the martial law situation. Minister Park responded by saying, "It was just a matter of meeting once before the year ends," and denied allegations that they discussed a second martial law, saying, "That is absolutely not true."
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