Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate in the People Power Party's presidential primary, refuted on the 26th a pointed question from Han Dong-hoon regarding why he did not participate in the National Assembly's vote to lift the martial law during the 'Dec. 3 emergency' by saying, 'I just missed the timing.'
Ahn responded this way during the four-candidate debate for the People Power Party held in MBN Studio in Jung-gu, Seoul, that afternoon.
Han noted, 'It was puzzling that someone with a strong sense of justice and national awareness like Rep. Ahn was not there that day,' questioning why Ahn did not participate in the vote on the bill to lift the emergency martial law.
Ahn explained, 'I received four text messages that day. The final one was from Choo Kyung-ho, the then House leader of the People Power Party, asking me to come to the party office,' adding, 'But when I got there, I felt I shouldn't be there, so I went to the National Assembly. However, the police were blocking the way, so I avoided them and climbed over the wall to get in.'
In response, Han asked, 'The only place that can decide on lifting the martial law is the National Assembly, so why did you follow what the party leader earnestly requested to come to the party office instead of following my request to come to the main assembly hall?'
Ahn replied, 'I thought the two of you were in communication.'
Additionally, Han raised questions about Ahn's support for the first impeachment motion against former President Yoon.
Han pointed out, 'At that time, the impeachment motion included parts that criticized the government's diplomacy towards North Korea, China, and Russia, which I absolutely could not accept, yet you supported the resolution containing that clause.'
In response, Ahn said, 'Ultimately, from a broader perspective, it was important for me that our party must become a party opposing the martial law.'