Democratic Party: "Night of Insurrection, Killing Field Almost Unfolded... Military's Sudden Purchase of Yeonghyeonbaek Must Be Investigated"

The Democratic Party of Korea urged a swift investigation on December 3 last year, stating that there was a possibility of a 'massacre' by the military. They found it suspicious that the military purchased a large quantity of temporary body storage bags called Yeonghyeonbaek ahead of the declaration of martial law.

Hwang Jeong-a, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a briefing at the National Assembly on the 19th, "The night of the insurrection, the Killing Field almost opened," and added, "They must be punished swiftly in the name of the law."

On December 4th last year, about 20 martial law troops attempted to break the glass windows and enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The previous day, MBC reported, "On August 22 last year, a military official from the 2nd Corps Command contacted a paper tube manufacturer in Seoul to inquire about purchasing paper tubes. Additionally, it introduced the fact that the military purchased a large quantity of Yeonghyeonbaek, temporary body storage bags, at the end of the year. Regarding this, MBC claimed, 'There are suspicions that the military was preparing for the occurrence of numerous bodies around the time President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law.'

Spokesperson Hwang said in relation to this, "They suddenly purchased nearly twice the usual amount of Yeonghyeonbaek right before the insurrection," and added, "If Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Yong-hyun were not planning to massacre countless people as noted in Noh Sang-won's notebook, this could not have happened."

She continued, "This can only be seen as evidence of preparing for inhumane and unfilial crimes to ensure the success of the insurrection."

She also called for a thorough investigation. Spokesperson Hwang urged, "We must thoroughly investigate whose orders these were and how far the involvement goes, bring them to the judgment of the law, and eradicate the root cause," and emphasized, "Investigative agencies must immediately begin the investigation."