Minister of Unification "Apologize to the People... Managing the Situation on the Korean Peninsula"

First Official Statement Since the Emergency Martial Law Situation

Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho, who attended the Cabinet meeting presided over by President Yoon Suk-yeol just before the declaration of martial law, expressed his "deep sorrow." It is known that Minister Kim opposed the declaration of martial law.

On the 10th, Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho issued a statement saying, "As the Minister of Unification and a member of the Cabinet, I feel a heavy responsibility for the current situation facing the Republic of Korea," and added, "I express my deep regret to the people with a heavy heart."

President Yoon Suk-yeol's statement entrusting party and government with national administration was followed by Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho and other cabinet members attending the first cabinet meeting held on the 10th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Minister Kim stated, "At this critical moment when inter-Korean relations are severe and uncertainties in the external situation are escalating, I will carry out my duties with vigilance and without any lapse until my last day in office," and emphasized, "Above all, to prevent the people from feeling anxious, I will work closely with related ministries and make every effort to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula stably."

It is known that the Cabinet meeting before the declaration of martial law was attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and ▲ Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance ▲ Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Intelligence Service ▲ Cho Tae-yeol, Minister of Foreign Affairs ▲ Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification ▲ Park Sung-jae, Minister of Justice ▲ Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of National Defense ▲ Lee Sang-min, former Minister of the Interior and Safety ▲ Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs ▲ Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare.

Prime Minister Han, Minister Cho Tae-yeol, and Minister Kim Young-ho are reported to have expressed opposition to the martial law plan but have not issued separate statements. The Cabinet meeting is convened with the attendance of more than half of the Cabinet members and resolves agenda items with the approval of two-thirds or more of the attending members. However, according to the Martial Law Act, the president's declaration or lifting of martial law is subject to deliberation, not a (for-or-against) resolution by the Cabinet meeting.