"Totally Crazy"... Joguk Innovation Party Releases Group Chat from Martial Law Day

"Let's Gather at the National Assembly First" Calls for Assembly Emerge

On the 3rd, immediately after President Yoon Seok-yeol (suspended from duty) declared martial law, the conversation among members of the Joguk Innovation Party on Telegram was revealed.

Contents of the group Telegram chat of the Joguk Innovation Party lawmakers on the 3rd, when martial law was declared. Facebook of lawmaker Hwang Unha

On the 19th, Hwang Unha, a member of the Joguk Innovation Party, opened his Facebook post by saying, "On the day of the illegal martial law on December 3rd, the Joguk Innovation Party was the fastest to gather all members in the National Assembly plenary hall," and added, "We are releasing the group chat that reveals the urgent situation of that day." According to the screenshots of the chat room disclosed by Representative Hwang, at 10:28 PM, Representative Shin Jang-sik was the first to deliver the news, saying, "The president has just declared martial law." Upon seeing this, Representative Jung Chun-saeng replied, "He must be crazy. Completely crazy," and Representative Shin responded, "He is crazy."

When Representative Lee Hae-min asked, "I just saw it. Do we have a code of conduct?" Representative Hwang Hyun-seon replied, "I think it would be better if you come out of your home or are at the assembly." When Representative Jung pointed out, "If the Speaker of the National Assembly is detained, the resolution to lift martial law cannot be passed," Representative Shin agreed and suggested, "We need to gather at the National Assembly." Representative Hwang also urged, "We should gather at the National Assembly immediately. Let's meet there right now."

At 10:47 PM, former Joguk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk briefly announced, "I am heading to the National Assembly." Then, when Representative Lee asked, "Please let us know our party's gathering place. I think we need to unite our strength to get in," Chief Secretary Jang Seong-hoon replied, "Access to the National Assembly is currently not allowed." At the same time, a photo showing police blocking entry to the National Assembly was posted in the chat room.

At 11:08 PM, Representative Cha Gyu-geun posted a photo showing the entrance situation inside the National Assembly and said, "After scaling the wall, I met with Speaker Woo Won-shik and escorted him to the Speaker's office." When Representative Cha asked, "Leader, when are you coming?" former leader Cho replied, "On my way," sharing his current location, and about an hour after the martial law declaration, he informed, "I am passing through the main gate and entering."

Representative Jung urged, "Right now, you can enter by presenting your ID and verifying your identity, but if military forces are deployed later, it might be difficult, so hurry up." After news came that six helicopters had entered in front of the National Assembly, Representative Lee advised, "We need to block night vision and power outages. We must check the gallery."

After the lifting of martial law, around 3:44 PM, former leader Cho also disclosed a draft of the impeachment motion against President Yoon. Representative Hwang emphasized, "That night, I immediately drafted an impeachment motion citing treason as the reason. After the first impeachment motion was rejected, I quickly drafted the second impeachment motion and shared it with the Democratic Party."