Kim Moonsoo: "Martial Law Was Yoon's Inevitable Choice" Jang Donghyuk: "'Gye Mong Ryeong' Means the Public Learned Yoon's Claims"

Kim Moonsoo: "Martial Law Was an Unavoidable Exercise of Emergency Powers"
Jang Donghyuk: "Gye Mong Ryeong Means the Public Newly Learned About Former President Yoon's Claims"

Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a candidate for the People Power Party leadership, said on August 10 that former President Yoon Sukyeol's declaration of martial law was "an unavoidable exercise of emergency powers." Jang Donghyuk, a People Power Party lawmaker, commented on the 'Gye Mong Ryeong' by saying, "It means that the public has newly learned about former President Yoon's claims."

During the People Power Party leadership candidate televised debate held at the Channel A studio in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the same day, former Minister Kim stated, "I'm not saying that declaring martial law was a good thing, but it was the Democratic Party that caused the situation leading to martial law, and that was wrong." He added, "Martial law is an emergency power vested in the president."

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He went on to say, "Was there anyone who was hurt or harmed because of martial law?" and argued, "The emergency martial law did not destroy liberal democracy."

Regarding the criticism that he failed to honor the unification pledge with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo during the last presidential election, Kim explained, "There was never a time when I did not pursue unification," and added, "It was the party members, through their votes, who revived me when there was an attempt to replace the candidate."

When asked about "voting to lift martial law and advocating for Gye Mong Ryeong," Representative Jang responded, "I have never advocated for Gye Mong Ryeong, and I supported the proposal to lift martial law."

He further explained, "The reason I opposed impeachment was because I believed there were sufficient alternative political solutions, including a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term." He added, "The meaning of Gye Mong Ryeong is that, after martial law, the public newly learned about the claims former President Yoon wanted to make."