Sangmin Lee's Controversial Remark: "Honestly, If They Wanted to Properly Block the National Assembly, Couldn't They Have?"

Public Safety Committee Chair "Is That What You Call a Story?"

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min sparked controversy on the 5th by stating, "To be honest, if the National Assembly had been properly blocked, such a (lifting of martial law) resolution would not have been possible," regarding the emergency martial law situation.

On the same day, during an urgent inquiry at the National Assembly's Administration and Security Committee, Minister Lee said, "If we had intended to block the authority of the National Assembly, it could have been done sufficiently."

When Committee Chair Shin Jeong-hoon shouted, "Are you saying that as a member of the State Council?" Minister Lee responded, "I will retract that statement."

When asked, "What would you do if President Yoon Seok-yeol decided to impose martial law again tomorrow?" Minister Lee answered, "If another incident occurred under such circumstances, I think I would have strongly advised against it and tried to dissuade it."

Minister Lee explained, "(The declaration of martial law) is the President's authority, so there is a limit to how much government ministers can oppose it," adding, "The President declared martial law within the limits of constitutional procedures and laws."

Regarding the Cabinet meeting held just before the declaration of martial law, Minister Lee stated, "All Cabinet members expressed concerns, and I also voiced my concerns several times."

When asked whether the situation at that time qualified as a martial law situation, he said, "I cannot make that judgment, and it is not appropriate for me to answer."

Minister Lee requested, "Please be more cautious about describing this incident as treason, or labeling individuals as accomplices or suspects of treason," and added, "If I was summoned here not as a suspect of treason but as the Minister of the Interior and Safety, I will respond to inquiries and provide answers as the Minister."

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