Agriculture Minister Song Miryeong: "If I Had Known About Martial Law, I Would Not Have Attended the Cabinet Meeting"

Song Miryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 6th that she "would not have attended if she had known" about attending the Cabinet meeting to declare martial law on the 3rd. This is the first statement made by Minister Song since the martial law incident.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, after presiding over a work inspection meeting at the Government Sejong Complex that morning, Minister Song responded to the question, "Did you express your opinion at the Cabinet meeting where martial law was discussed?" by saying, "It was not a place where I could express opposing opinions at that time."

Song Miryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (file photo)

Minister Song emphasized, "As a member of the Cabinet, I am deeply saddened by the occurrence of this incident and apologize to the public," adding, "I was confused and disoriented, so I do not remember clearly, but I was seriously concerned about the declaration of martial law and never agreed to it."

On the day martial law was declared, the 3rd, Minister Song attended the Central-Local Policy Council held in Ulsan from 4:30 p.m. together with Lee Sangmin, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. After the council, Minister Song received a call from the Presidential Office and disembarked from the plane around 9:30 p.m., then moved to Yongsan and attended the Cabinet meeting around 10:10 p.m.

Minister Song explained, "When I attended the Cabinet meeting, it was already in progress," adding, "It was inappropriate to enter in the middle and represent the situation of others, and I could not know what happened before." She further stated, "Some media outlets are discussing whether there was support or opposition, but it was not a place to express support or opposition," and added, "It was not a place to listen to opinions for or against."

Regarding the second declaration of martial law raised by some, Minister Song said, "Of course, that is impossible," and added, "I would definitely oppose it and would not attend if such a thing were to happen."