Chairperson Kwon Young-se of the People Power Party noted on the 17th, "Even if I were at the National Assembly, I would not have attended the vote on the (resolution to lift the martial law)." This suggests that understanding the situation first is the role of the ruling party.

Kwon Young-se, the Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the People Power Party, is delivering a keynote speech at the Kwanhun Club invitation discussion held at the Korea Press Center International Conference Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Nov. 17. /News1

Chairperson Kwon said at a discussion hosted by the Kwanhun Club held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, in response to a question asking, "If we go back to December 3rd, what would you do about the vote on the National Assembly's resolution to lift martial law on the day of the announcement?" Chairperson Kwon remarked that during the declaration of martial law, he did not attend the general meeting but watched the voting results.

He said, "If we first listen to (the president's position) and if what the president announced is all there is, then we have no choice but to express our opposition." However, he added, "It is not the role of the ruling party to act the same as the opposition party without knowing what it is all about."

Chairperson Kwon stated, "When martial law was suddenly declared on December 3rd, I initially thought it was fake news. I was surprised. The fact that the president declared martial law was reported on television, but that alone was not convincing." He continued, "Since we must assume that everyone acts rationally, I think that as the ruling party, we should listen to responsible people's views on why, apart from the declaration broadcast, the president cannot publicly discuss the matter. So, during my commute, I tried to call the president's office and relevant ministers, but I couldn't get through."

Chairperson Kwon also remarked regarding the message that former People Power Party representative Han Dong-hoon posted on Facebook immediately after President Yoon declared martial law, stating, "The president's declaration of a state of emergency is wrong. I will stand with the people," "At that time, Representative Han probably had the same information as I did, but I think it was a bit hasty to immediately say it was unconstitutional and illegal."