"No Discussion About the Vote During Calls with Han Ducksoo and Hong Chulho"
"Urged Chung Jinseok to Swiftly Lift Martial Law"
Choo Kyungho, a lawmaker from the People Power Party who is under investigation by the special prosecutor for insurrection (led by Special Prosecutor Cho Eunseok) on charges of obstructing the vote to lift martial law during the December 3 Martial Law, refuted the allegations on the 4th, calling them "blatant lies by the Democratic Party of Korea."
On this day, Assemblyman Choo held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly to address allegations that he had prior knowledge of the martial law or that he obstructed the vote to lift it. Choo was the floor leader of the People Power Party at the time of the December 3 Martial Law last year.
Choo argued, "The Democratic Party is fabricating a narrative of vote obstruction and is ordering the special prosecutor to conduct a forced investigation," citing the fact that the party was preparing for a rally condemning the Democratic Party at that time.
He stated, "The People Power Party held a general assembly of lawmakers on December 2, the day before martial law, and decided to hold a large-scale rally condemning the Democratic Party in front of the main building of the National Assembly on the 4th, with thousands of party members from across the country attending. The very act of organizing such a large-scale rally is clear evidence that no member of the People Power Party was aware of the December 3 Martial Law in advance."
Regarding his phone calls with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and former Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Chulho on the day martial law was declared, Choo explained, "While traveling from home to the National Assembly, I called former Secretary Hong to assess the situation and discuss concerns about the political climate going forward. About ten minutes later, I also called former Prime Minister Han to get an update on the situation."
He added, "Even in normal times, the Prime Minister has never individually instructed or requested the floor leader to handle political matters, and there was absolutely no discussion about the vote on the day martial law was declared."
Regarding his phone call with former President Yoon Sukyeol, he said, "It was to explain the content of the (martial law declaration) statement, and he expressed regret for not informing the ruling party's floor leader in advance."
He also addressed allegations that changing the location of the general assembly of lawmakers on the day martial law was declared caused confusion. He explained, "Whenever access to the National Assembly was possible, the general assembly was always held there. When access was restricted, the venue was changed to the party headquarters. The change from the National Assembly to the party headquarters was an unavoidable follow-up measure after the party leader decided to move the Supreme Council meeting to the party headquarters."
He continued, "At around 2:58 a.m. on the 4th, I called former Presidential Chief of Staff Chung Jinseok to confirm that the National Assembly's resolution demanding the lifting of martial law had reached the government, and I urged the government to take swift action to lift martial law. This is clear evidence that there was no intention to block the lifting of martial law."
Choo stated that if the special prosecutor requests an investigation, he will fully clarify these facts.
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