Kim Min-seok: "Han Dong-hoon and Han Deok-soo Cannot Be the Center of State Administration" (Comprehensive)

'Martial Law Prediction' Kim Min-seok Press Conference
"Yoon's Military Command Must Be Immediately Revoked"
"Prime Minister Han, Participant in State Council Insurrection"

Kim Min-seok, a Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The next target of the insurrection forces will likely be a shift in the situation caused by the declaration of martial law during wartime," and argued, "President Yoon Seok-yeol's military command authority must be officially suspended." Kim has been mentioning the possibility of President Yoon declaring martial law since last September. However, he did not present any measures to address the potential vacancy in the military command authority.

At a press briefing held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 8th, Kim hinted that an 'additional martial law' could occur following the emergency martial law incident on December 3rd. He emphasized that the 'military command authority' held by President Yoon as long as he remains in office must be taken away. He said, "All related agencies must put all their efforts into deterring attempts to declare wartime martial law through North Korean propaganda operations such as leaflet drops and fabricated shootings along the Demilitarized Zone," and analyzed, "The next target of the insurrection forces is a shift in the situation caused by the declaration of wartime martial law and the exercise of military command authority."

Kim Min-seok, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a press conference held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

He also expressed a negative view on the 'orderly resignation' being discussed by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and the ruling People Power Party. Kim stated, "'Yoon Seok-yeol's insurrection' is spreading into the 'second insurrection' jointly orchestrated by Han Dong-hoon, Han Duck-soo, and the prosecution," and said, "The National Investigation Headquarters must immediately arrest and detain all related parties including President Yoon, and promptly summon and investigate Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and other National Assembly members involved in the insurrection." He added, "The scale, reality, and whereabouts of the insurrection planning and cooperation forces have not been revealed at all, making the situation extremely dangerous."

Kim emphasized that Prime Minister Han and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon should not lead the national administration. On that day, he said, "Prime Minister Han cannot be the center of national administration," and "If he supported the declaration of martial law at the Cabinet meeting, he is an important participant in the insurrection." He also said, "Despite being in a position to be aware of all circumstances, he abetted the declaration of martial law," and "He is not suitable for carrying out the urgent national tasks of investigating the insurrection." Furthermore, he said, "Leader Han failed to lead the party's decision-making throughout the December 3rd emergency martial law incident," and "He does not have control over the party."

Kim Min-seok, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is answering a question related to the joint statement by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon at a press briefing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

He harshly criticized the People Power Party, saying, "They have become a serious anti-state, unconstitutional, and illegal force," and "They have become a pack of wild rats gnawing away at South Korea's democracy, trapped in a swamp of collective hypnosis." He also mentioned a blueprint after President Yoon's suspension from office, referring to "the Democratic Party's efforts to dispatch special envoys to major countries." He said, "Whether before or after President Yoon's suspension, we will cooperate with appropriate government officials who have not participated in the martial law insurrection and take all necessary measures to stabilize the national administration."

As Kim Min-seok mentioned, if President Yoon does not resign 'orderly' and is impeached, under current law, Prime Minister Han would assume the acting authority. However, since the Democratic Party also claims that Prime Minister Han is an 'accomplice to the insurrection,' the political deadlock is expected to continue. Kim's side explained regarding the 'vacancy caused by the exclusion of military command authority,' "It is not a situation where anyone is seen as appropriate to exercise (military command authority), but rather a point of highlighting the current problem."