Handonghun Received a Call Saying "If You Go to the National Assembly on Martial Law Day, You Will Die, Evacuate"

Handonghun received a call from a military official on martial law day saying,
"Going to the National Assembly is life-threatening..."
Democratic Party: "Reveals intent to eliminate political opponents... coup attempt"

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is leaving after announcing his intention to resign as party leader at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon recently revealed to those close to him that he received a phone call on the day of the December 3 emergency martial law declaration warning that “going to the National Assembly would be life-threatening.” In response, the Democratic Party sharply criticized, stating, “Contrary to President Yoon Seok-yeol’s words, the declaration of martial law was a coup aimed at assassinating political opponents,” and added, “It has become clear that President Yoon intended to resolve politics not through dialogue and consultation but with guns and knives.”

According to a report by 'Channel A' on the 18th, former leader Han recently told his close aides that on the night of the 3rd, after the martial law was declared and while heading to the National Assembly, he received a call from a military official saying, “Do not go to the National Assembly under any circumstances. Intelligence I received indicates that if you go, you will be arrested and your life could be in danger,” and “Turn off your phone and hide in a safe place for about a day. You must not be caught.”

However, at the time, former leader Han judged this information to be unrealistic and proceeded to the National Assembly. On that day, immediately after President Yoon declared martial law, Han issued a statement saying, “The president’s declaration of emergency martial law is wrong. I will oppose it together with the people,” and then headed to the National Assembly, where he remained in the plenary session hall during the vote demanding the lifting of martial law.

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the members' meeting held on the 14th at the National Assembly after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol was passed. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Three days later, one day before the first vote on President Yoon’s impeachment motion, Han revealed that he had confirmed that President Yoon had ordered the arrest of politicians through the Counterintelligence Command. Former First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Hong Jang-won also reported to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that “President Yoon personally called and said, ‘Arrest them all this time,’” and “The Counterintelligence Commander read out a list of arrest targets including former leader Han.”

Following these reports, Kang Yoo-jung, the Democratic Party’s floor spokesperson, stated in a written briefing on the 18th, “It has been revealed through the media that former leader Han received a phone call on the day of the martial law declaration warning that ‘going to the National Assembly would be life-threatening.’ A military official even hinted at a murder threat by telling Han to ‘evacuate his family as well.’” She continued, “If these reports are true, the insurrection schemed by Yoon Seok-yeol was by no means ‘order maintenance with a small number of troops’ as he tried to excuse himself,” and criticized, “It was a meticulous and ruthless coup aimed at assassinating political opponents. The ‘arrest squads’ were essentially targeting politicians like Representative Lee Jae-myung and Speaker Woo Won-shik who did not comply.”

Spokesperson Kang emphasized, “Yoon Seok-yeol’s arrest list was ultimately a hit list to eliminate political nuisances,” and “It has become clear that his intention was to resolve politics not through dialogue and consultation but with guns and knives.” She added, “A swift and thorough investigation and the prompt conclusion of the impeachment process to remove even minimal authority is the first step to restoring the Republic of Korea, which Yoon Seok-yeol has ruined,” and stated, “Yoon Seok-yeol, who is a thorn in the side of the people, must completely disappear from the position of ruler.” She also urged, “We call for the thorough investigation and prompt fact-finding by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials regarding the attempts to eliminate political opponents including former leader Han.”