"Will Bear Clear Responsibility Under Criminal Law"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, saying he "continues to carry out key tasks related to the crime of rebellion." This was a reiteration of the party's position that Choo obstructed the National Assembly's resolution to lift the emergency martial law.
On the afternoon of the 6th, Lee told reporters at the National Assembly, "Preventing members of the National Assembly, a constitutional institution, from voting is an extension of rebellious acts," expressing this view.
He added, "Floor leader Choo will bear clear responsibility not only in the judgment of history and the people but also under criminal law."
Lee also said, "(Floor leader Choo) should reflect on his actions from now on and respect the will of the sovereign people," warning sternly, "This is the path for Choo and senior members of the People Power Party who share his stance to survive."
Earlier, the Democratic Party stated that floor leader Choo incited confusion among People Power Party lawmakers during the illegal declaration of martial law, obstructing the resolution to lift martial law, and that there were circumstances where he requested the Speaker of the National Assembly to delay the vote by asking for more time, leading to consideration of filing charges for rebellion.
In response, the People Power Party floor leader's office released a separate statement on the same day, claiming that the Democratic Party's allegations were not true. According to the statement, Choo Kyung-ho notified lawmakers of an emergency party meeting at the National Assembly on the 3rd but changed the location to the party headquarters after assessing the control situation at the National Assembly.
Subsequently, Choo moved to the National Assembly with party leader Han Dong-hoon and changed the meeting location back to the National Assembly. However, when lawmakers were actually blocked from entering the National Assembly, the meeting location was again changed and notified to be at the party headquarters.
Choo reportedly asked Speaker Woo Won-shik for time to gather lawmakers during a phone call, and although the plenary session convened at 12:47 a.m. on the 4th, the floor leader's office where Choo was located was sealed off.
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