National Security Office: "Deputy Director Kim Taehyo Did Not Contact Former Minister Kim Yonghyun Before or After Martial Law"

by Seo Sojeong

Published 20 Feb.2025 15:50(KST)

"Bu Seungchan's Claims Are 'Not True', Says Presidential Office"

Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, Yonhap News Agency

The National Security Office on the 20th stated that the remarks by Bu Seung-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, suggesting that Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director, was aware of President Yoon Seok-yeol's emergency martial law in advance, are "false information."

The Presidential Office expressed regret through a press release on the same day regarding Bu's comment on the previous day's JTBC program "Special Sseoljeon," where he said, "I find it hard to believe, but Kim claimed he learned about the martial law late."

Bu claimed, "After the announcement of martial law, Kim, the First Deputy Director of National Security, hurried to the Presidential Office and met with former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun. When he asked, 'What on earth is this?' former Minister Kim smiled and replied, 'It's perfect.'"

The National Security Office said, "Bu ’s remarks are completely untrue," and added, "Kim has never had any contact with former Minister Kim Yong-hyun before or after the martial law announcement."

They continued, "It appears to be a dramatization of Kim’s statement during the 3rd hearing of the Special Committee on National Inspection held on the 6th, where Kim reportedly asked former Chief of Security Park Jong-jun, 'Is something going on?'"

The National Security Office urged, "Even in the absence of the President after the martial law, we are doing our best for the security of the Republic of Korea and the safety of its people," and called for an immediate halt to actions that shake the National Security Office with false information.