Democratic Party: "Kim Yong-hyun made a remark meaning 'Push it away with a tank' on the day of martial law"

'Yoon Seok-yeol Internal Investigation Team' Press Conference
"Kim Yong-hyun Mentioned 'Tank' at Luncheon on Martial Law Day"
"No Intent to Defame... Must Explain Himself"

The Democratic Party of Korea claimed that former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun made a remark to "push it over with a tank" on the day the emergency martial law was declared.

The Democratic Party's 'Yoon Seok-yeol Insurrection Investigation Team' held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 19th and stated, "Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun reportedly said at a lunch at the Defense Convention Center at 11:40 a.m. on December 3, 'The National Assembly is messing around with the defense budget, so just push it over with a tank.'" They added, "Brigadier General Bang Jeong-hwan, the Deputy Minister of Defense Policy who attended the lunch, took leave that afternoon and moved to the Intelligence Command office in Pangyo." They also insisted, "An investigation should be conducted not only on Brigadier General Bang but also on Cho Chang-rae, the Director of the Defense Policy Office, who approved the leave."

Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Furthermore, the investigation team urged, "There was a civilian named Yang who met former Minister Kim at the official residence in the early morning of the 3rd. An investigation related to this must also proceed." They stated, "On the day of the martial law declaration, from 7 p.m., during a dinner hosted by President Yoon with Police Chief Jo Ji-ho and Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik at the official residence, former Minister Kim and Army General Park An-su (the martial law commander at the time) were also present." They emphasized, "Park Jong-jun, the head of the security office managing the official residence, should be immediately summoned to reveal the reality of this meeting." They also expressed, "We are shocked by the large-scale involvement of high-ranking active military officials and regretfully have no choice but to inform the public of the facts." Finally, they added, "Key officials who appear to have been deeply involved in the insurrection are still in office. There is no intention to defame the officials mentioned today. They should clarify the facts themselves."

Meanwhile, former Minister Kim released his second statement from prison through his lawyer that morning. He claimed, "The December 3 emergency martial law was to eradicate anti-state forces and hand over a free Republic of Korea to future generations." He stated, "According to Article 2 of the Martial Law Act, it is well known that I, as Minister of National Defense, proposed it and the President declared the martial law." He added, "Since I, as the minister, issued the order based on the President's declaration of martial law, the commanders and subordinate soldiers who carried it out are not guilty of any crime." He described it as "a highly legitimate and respectable performance of military duties."

Former Minister Kim also criticized, "The prosecution, conducting illegal investigations, is distorting only parts of the legitimate duties of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and publicly disclosing them to the media one by one, insulting the military as if the entire defense affairs, including the execution of martial law duties, were criminal acts." He pointed out, "No evidence or legal logic has been presented on how martial law constitutes an insurrection." Finally, he said, "The Republic of Korea Armed Forces are fulfilling their mission to protect the Korean people today as well. The execution of martial law duties is clearly a lawful performance of orders." He concluded, "The military is on the side of the people and will protect the people from anti-state forces. Please continue to trust and support us until the end."