Mention of 'Cabinet Members' Responsibility' in National Assembly Emergency Questioning
Cabinet Members Except Labor Minister Kim Moon-su Nod
Seo Young-kyo Urges Immediate Arrest of Yoon
Cabinet members attending the emergency issue inquiry related to the December 3 martial law incident bowed their heads in apology. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo repeatedly said "I am sorry" and bowed four times, while other cabinet members, except for Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, also stood up and expressed their apologies.
On the afternoon of the 11th, the National Assembly held an "Emergency Issue Questioning on President Yoon Seok-yeol's Unconstitutional Martial Law Declaration and Acts of Rebellion" in the main plenary hall. Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and the first questioner, stated, "On the 3rd, an outrageous act occurred," adding, "President Yoon pointed a gun at the people and tried to remove lawmakers and dissolve the National Assembly." She continued, "A suspect of rebellion caught in the act can be immediately arrested without a warrant," and urged, "I call for the immediate arrest of Yoon Seok-yeol in the name of the National Assembly members."
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and other Cabinet members are bowing in apology to the public at the National Assembly plenary session on the 11th during the "Emergency Urgent Questioning on President Yoon Suk-yeol's Unconstitutional Declaration of Martial Law and Treasonous Acts," following the request of Seo Young-kyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
During the session, Representative Seo called Prime Minister Han to the podium and held him accountable for "failing to prevent the martial law at the Cabinet meeting." Prime Minister Han explained, "I became aware of the martial law declaration after arriving at the Presidential Office on the evening of the 3rd," and said, "I clearly expressed my opposition and convened the cabinet members to try to persuade the President." However, he added, "Ultimately, we could not stop it," and expressed, "I feel truly sorry, apologize, and carry a heavy sense of guilt."
Representative Seo demanded that Prime Minister Han and other cabinet members "bow their heads and apologize." In response, Prime Minister Han said, "On behalf of the cabinet members, I offer my apology," and bowed twice. Cabinet members seated behind the podium also stood up one after another and bowed toward the podium. Among the cabinet members attending the emergency inquiry were many vice ministers who had not attended the Cabinet meeting during the December 3 martial law incident. Nevertheless, except for Minister Kim, the attendees expressed their apologies by bowing their heads in the National Assembly plenary hall.
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