Han Donghoon Refutes "Democratic Party Saved Me?"... "Night of Martial Law" Debate Rekindled

"Saying they 'saved me' just because they didn't block me is absurd"
Democratic Party: "Stop the political conspiracy theories"... Clash between both sides intensifies

Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon strongly refuted the Democratic Party, stating, "The claim that I saved myself during the night of martial law is false." Han emphasized that, as the ruling party leader at the time, he took the lead in lifting martial law, and criticized the Democratic Party for distorting this fact. In response, the Democratic Party immediately countered, calling it "nothing more than a conspiracy theory," as both sides continue their political clash over the events of the "night of martial law."

On November 5, Han wrote on social media, "Whenever the Democratic Party is nervous or has nothing to say, they lie that they saved me during the 'night of martial law.' As the ruling party leader, I may have led efforts to block martial law and prevented Democratic Party politicians from being arrested, but the Democratic Party never saved me."

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon strongly refuted the Democratic Party, saying, "The claim that I saved myself during the night of martial law is false." Photo by Yonhap News

This was Han's response to the Democratic Party's earlier criticism, which accused him of "showing ingratitude by betraying those who saved him from Yoon Sukyeol's guns during the night of insurrection."

"I acted with the resolve to block martial law, even if it meant dying," Han says

Recalling the situation at the time, Han said, "That day, I risked my life from the start, and my only thought was to stop martial law, even if it cost me my life." He continued, "The Democratic Party's claim that they 'saved me' just because they did not physically stop me from going to lift martial law is absurd. If any Democratic Party politician had blocked me from entering the main assembly hall to lift martial law, that would have constituted, to use special prosecutor terms, a 'serious crime of obstructing the lifting of martial law.'"

He further stated, "The person the Democratic Party needed to save during the night of martial law was Lee Jaemyung, who was hiding in the woods out of fear-not me, who, as the ruling party leader, was the first to issue a message opposing martial law and entered the National Assembly main chamber with fellow lawmakers to vote for its termination."

He added, "It is only natural for the opposition to oppose martial law. If only the opposition had attempted to lift martial law without the ruling party's participation, there was a high possibility that the deployed martial law troops would have actively suppressed them, and the president might not have conceded, preventing the lifting of martial law."

Han also questioned, "Why can't Democratic Party lawmakers say, as I did, 'If President Lee declares martial law, the Democratic Party will stop it'? Surely, you wouldn't just let it happen, would you?"

Former President Yoon Sukyeol (left) is walking while conversing with former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon. Presidential Office

In another post the same day, Han pointed out, "Democratic Party politicians are responding in a relay of harsh words to my claim that, if President Lee's trial resumes, there is a possibility that he might block the trial with martial law rather than stepping down from office."

He recalled, "When Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Minseok argued last September that 'President Yoon could declare martial law,' our party strongly objected, saying it was nonsense. At that time, as People Power Party leader, I publicly stated, 'If martial law is declared, we will take the lead in stopping it,' and on December 3, I did exactly that."

Han stated, "President Lee only needs to say, 'Even if my trial resumes, I will not declare martial law.' Democratic Party lawmakers also just need to say, 'If President Lee attempts martial law, we will block it.'"

Previously, Han appeared on YTN Radio's "Kim Youngsoo's The Interview" the day before, saying, "If someone resumes the trial, the Lee Jaemyung administration will be over. In such a situation, if the trial resumes, would the Democratic Party government really concede? Judging by their current behavior, I don't think so. In fact, I believe there is a significant possibility that President Lee might invoke martial law rather than address the issue."

Democratic Party immediately rebuts: "Martial law conspiracy theory-get a grip"

The Democratic Party immediately pushed back. Democratic Party lawmaker Han Minsoo said, "Wasn't the Lee Jaemyung administration born out of overcoming martial law? This makes no sense. I hope Han will make reasonable judgments. If he keeps saying such things, he may have to leave the political arena."

Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Jiho also criticized, "Stop this relay of reckless remarks immediately and get a grip. A former Minister of Justice and ruling party leader who was responsible for upholding the rule of law is now spreading baseless conspiracy theories."

With five major defendants in the Daejang-dong case receiving heavy sentences in the first trial, calls within the opposition for President Lee Jaemyung's trial to resume are growing louder.