About 10 People from the People Power Party in the Main Assembly Hall... 'Martial Law Lift' Demand Likely to Be Passed

Handonghun Waiting with Lawmakers in the Plenary Hall

About two hours after President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, at 12:40 AM on the 4th, just before the National Assembly plenary session was about to begin, most members of the People Power Party had not yet taken their seats.

Only about 10 members, including People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, were present in the plenary hall. The members seated in the plenary hall from the People Power Party were Kwak Kyu-taek, Kim Seong-won, Kim Yong-tae, Kim Hyeong-dong, Park Soo-min, Park Jeong-hoon, Park Jeong-ha, Seo Beom-su, Woo Jae-jun, Jang Dong-hyeok, Jeong Seong-guk, and Han Ji-a.

Seats of People Power Party members are empty in the National Assembly plenary session hall. It appears that Representative Han Dong-hoon is on the phone. (Photo by Gong Byung-sun)

On the same day, Leader Han said through his social media (SNS), "I speak to the military and police," adding, "You must never support or collaborate with unconstitutional martial law."

It appears that People Power Party members attempted to enter the National Assembly but were blocked by the military and instead moved to the party headquarters. Floor leader Chu Kyung-ho and others are reported to be staying at the party headquarters.

With President Yoon's declaration of martial law on this day, measures were taken to prohibit activities in the National Assembly and political parties.

However, the Constitution also guarantees the National Assembly the authority to revoke the president's martial law declaration. Article 77 of the Constitution states, "When the National Assembly requests the revocation of martial law with the consent of the majority of the total members, the president shall revoke it."

There is a forecast that the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds more than the majority with 170 seats, will attempt to pass a resolution in the National Assembly plenary session demanding the revocation of martial law.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.