“Enlightenment Martial Law” Yoon’s Final Statement Directly Refuted by Han Dong-hoon: “An Insult to Democracy”

Han Dong-hoon Publishes 'The People Come First' ①
Received a Call While Heading to the National Assembly During December 3 Martial Law
Told, "If Arrested, You Could Die"
Says, "Martial Law Justified by Opposition Violence and Election Fraud Is Nonsense"

Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon criticized the December 3 emergency martial law in his book published on the 26th, calling it "an insult and challenge to the democracy and republicanism of the Republic of Korea."

In his newly released book, Han Dong-hoon's Choice: The People Come First, Han stated, "I have always believed that the true spirit of conservatism lies in prioritizing the responsibility to protect democracy and republicanism over factional interests."

Regarding some ruling party members calling him a traitor for leading efforts to stop the martial law, Han questioned, "If the martial law had not been lifted then, what situation would our country, economy, security, conservative camp, and our party have faced? Who truly betrayed democracy, republicanism, and the spirit of true conservatism?"

He also directly refuted President Yoon Seok-yeol’s final argument in the impeachment trial and the defense team’s rationale regarding the background of the martial law declaration and the special forces’ entry into the National Assembly.

Earlier, in his final argument at the Constitutional Court’s impeachment trial, President Yoon cited reasons for martial law including the ruling Democratic Party’s forced budget cuts, opposition to the revision of the National Security Act, shielding of party leader Lee Jae-myung, and allegations of election fraud by the Election Commission. He claimed, "From the beginning, I clearly told the Minister of National Defense that the purpose of this martial law was a 'public appeal.' I said the National Assembly’s demand for lifting martial law would follow swiftly, so the martial law would not last long."

He added, "Because the deployed military forces were so few, we requested the police to maintain security and order around the National Assembly. Although some soldiers were injured, not a single civilian was harmed," countering opposition claims of a "personal coup" by President Yoon.

On the other hand, Han mentioned that he, along with Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, were included in the initial arrest list and that arrest teams were operating. He responded, "The moment the ruling party leader was included in the arrest targets, the justification that martial law was declared due to the opposition’s violent acts and election fraud allegations disappears. Of course, declaring martial law on that basis is nonsense."

He emphasized that the opposition’s violent acts and election fraud allegations should be resolved through democratic systems, not martial law, and since the ruling party leader opposing the opposition was also ordered to be arrested, these allegations can no longer justify martial law.

Regarding the timing of the martial law declaration, Han wrote, "Martial law was declared suddenly after 10 p.m., outside working hours when it is difficult for lawmakers to gather. This suggests that those enforcing martial law intended to prevent the National Assembly’s resolution demanding its lifting."

Han also introduced a phone call he received on the day of martial law from a ruling party figure who said, "No matter what, Han must never be arrested. If arrested, he could really die. So don’t go to the National Assembly; immediately find a hiding place and stay hidden. Turn off your phone so you won’t be tracked. Also, evacuate your family. This is reliable information, so don’t take it lightly and be sure to follow it."

However, Han strongly denied claims that he opposed martial law out of anger at being targeted for arrest, emphasizing that President Yoon issued a message opposing martial law before the broadcast of its declaration and stating, "Before I issued any message to stop martial law, I had not heard any information about an arrest."

Regarding his decision to head to the National Assembly despite the call from the ruling party figure, Han said, "My determination to stop martial law outweighed any fear. I was in a position to play an important role in stopping martial law and was strongly determined to do so."

On the 4th, about 20 martial law troops attempted to break the glass windows and enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Regarding the operation of arrest teams targeting Han and other prominent politicians, Han cited the indictment of Police Commissioner General Jo Ji-ho, stating, "Martial law proclamation No. 1 was issued at 11 p.m., but the joint military and police arrest operation began at 10:30 p.m. This means they started the arrest operation before the proclamation was even issued, so the formal pretext of arresting me for violating the proclamation is just an excuse."

On the so-called lax blockade by military and police forces, Han said, "Citizens who gathered in front of the National Assembly after hearing about the martial law declaration filmed and protested the police blockade. Media cameras also informed the public in real time about the military and police blocking access. I think this is why the police on site did not respond harshly. I believe the martial law troops also did not suppress or arrest people as ordered by the martial law command for the same reason."

Contrary to President Yoon’s explanation that the martial law was not lifted for 3 hours and 30 minutes after the National Assembly’s resolution demanding its lifting because it required Cabinet approval, Han believed the demand was ignored or that a second martial law attempt could be made citing new reasons. He said he called Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min to request that no other claims related to lifting martial law be raised at the Cabinet meeting.

Regarding why he continuously posted messages on social media on the day of martial law urging military and police forces not to comply or collaborate, Han explained, "As the ruling party leader, I hoped that my messages and actions would give young soldiers and police a reason not to actively follow martial law orders. That was also a way to protect them and to understand the feelings of parents who sent their beloved children to the military."

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is giving a statement after the resolution to lift the martial law was passed early morning on the 4th at the National Assembly. President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law in an emergency statement on the night of the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min