[1 Year Since the 12.3 Martial Law] Seo Mihwa: "What Scared Me More Than the High Wall Was Failing to Lift Martial Law"

Interview with Democratic Party Lawmaker Seo Mihwa, Who Climbed Over the National Assembly Wall
Visually Impaired Assemblywoman Sprinted Holding Her Aide's Hand
"Grateful to Citizens Who Guarded the National Assembly Awaiting Impeachment"

Editor's NoteThe "12·3 Martial Law" cast a long shadow over modern Korean history. The past year, marked by the passage of the presidential impeachment bill in the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court's approval of the impeachment, and the subsequent early presidential election, was a time of anxiety and confusion, but also of hope and expectation. While the world witnessed the remarkable resilience of "K-democracy," the cracks of hatred and hostility divided society. This article examines the tasks and lessons that the events of that day have left for our society.

Seo Mihwa, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, entered the National Assembly plenary hall during the martial law declared on December 3 last year, despite being visually impaired. Seo, who had always thought she would never be able to climb over a wall or run, sprinted at full speed that day to help lift martial law.

In an interview with The Asia Business Daily on the 1st, Assemblywoman Seo spoke about the desperate situation that forced her to climb over the National Assembly wall during martial law, saying, "All I could think about was that I had to enter the plenary hall and lift martial law."

The following is a Q&A with Assemblywoman Seo.

-How did you enter the National Assembly during martial law?

▲That day was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There were many events, so I stayed out until the evening and returned home around 10 p.m. My aide called and told me to turn on the TV. The news was reporting that Yoon Suk-yeol had declared martial law. As soon as I heard that, I realized that only members of the National Assembly could lift martial law. I contacted my aides, and since one of them was nearby, we ran together. My house is near the National Assembly, and that aide told me not to let go of her hand and that we needed to run, so I ran as hard as I could. When we arrived, the main gate was closed.

As President Yoon Sukyeol declared martial law, citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 4th, urging the lifting of martial law. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

-You climbed over the National Assembly wall?

▲It was around 11 p.m., and the main gate was closed. There was a barricade of vehicles at the main gate, and dozens of citizens and people trying to get in were shouting and pushing. The police, holding shields, blocked any approach to the gate. At that moment, my aide shouted, "This is Assemblywoman Seo Mihwa. She needs to go in." Thanks to that, I was able to get close to the gate. I could sense that someone was climbing over the wall. When I touched the gate, I felt a rounded, metallic pattern. I thought that if I placed my foot there, I could climb up, so I did.

-Weren't you afraid?

▲At that moment, I didn't think about getting hurt while climbing over. All I could think was, "I have to get to the plenary hall." When I reached the top, I immediately realized how high it was. I hesitated, thinking, "It's high," but someone inside said, "Jump down, I'll catch you," so I threw myself over. It turned out that the person who had climbed over before me was Assemblywoman Lim Mi-ae. After hearing my aide shout, "It's Assemblywoman Seo Mihwa," Lim came back. Holding her hand, I ran at full speed. I think it was the fastest I have ever run in my life. Rather than being afraid, I thought that if we couldn't lift martial law, the country would collapse. When I arrived, I was among the first members to reach the plenary hall. Before that, I had never even thought about running fast, since I can't keep my balance well. I hadn't even planned to climb over the wall. But what was scarier was the thought of not being able to lift martial law. In the moment of climbing and running, I even forgot that I was visually impaired. Later, when I revisited the spot I had climbed, I was told it was the highest part. I wondered how I managed to get over it. But I still think that, if necessary, I would have even crossed a river.

-After learning about martial law, how did you decide you had to go to the plenary hall?

▲I also serve on the National Assembly Steering Committee, and during the parliamentary audit, the answers from the Chief of Staff, the National Security Office Director, and the head of the National Security Office were so insincere and reckless. Hearing their responses, I felt uneasy, wondering if they were really planning martial law. When I heard the news of the declaration, I thought, "So this is what it was." All I could think was that I needed to get to the plenary hall.

Seo Mi-hwa, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is submitting the "Act on Guaranteeing Mobility for Transportation Vulnerable Groups." Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

-One year has passed since then.

▲There were many people on the streets the day martial law was declared, including many people with disabilities. That was because, due to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, many people were around the National Assembly. They came in wheelchairs and rushed to the scene. That night, citizens, including people with disabilities, stayed and kept watch; no one went home. That's why we were able to vote to lift martial law. I wondered if impeachment would be possible, but millions of citizens came. I believe it was their power that made impeachment possible. During the two weeks leading up to impeachment, I circled the National Assembly many times and saw young university students sitting on the cold cement ground around the National Assembly with only a sheet of foil. It was final exam season, but the students told me, "We don't know if the martial law forces will come again for a second or third time, so we will guard the National Assembly. Please do your work as lawmakers." They guarded the National Assembly in shifts for two weeks. Even now, I tear up when I think about it.

-Is there anything you want to say to the citizens?

▲After martial law, Yoon Suk-yeol was removed from office, and a government based on popular sovereignty was established through the presidential election. In a short period, the dignity of the Republic of Korea has been restored, and all of this is thanks to our people. The people protected democracy. The investigation to address the rebellion is ongoing, and it is frustrating at times. If not only the ringleaders of the rebellion but also all those involved and accomplices are fully brought to justice, we will be able to achieve a more mature and advanced democracy.

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