Minister Park Sang-woo of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport noted on the 18th that he felt "regretful" about the impeachment political situation that arose following President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of a state of emergency. This was the first time Minister Park directly mentioned the state of emergency situation. He emphasized that while striving for normalization of state affairs, he would push ahead with planned policies such as the maintenance project of the first new towns without any disruptions to stabilize the real estate market.
On this day, Minister Park said during a press conference held at the government complex in Sejong City that "I feel regretful and sad as one of the citizens regarding the state of emergency situation."
Minister Park stated that he thought it was "a situation that he had never even dreamt of" regarding President Yoon's declaration of a state of emergency. Having not attended the cabinet meeting prior to the emergency declaration, Minister Park drew a line by saying, "I was walking to fill my 10,000 steps and received a call from the presidential office to come in, so I took a taxi, but the situation was already over" and "I did not participate in any decision-making process." He further mentioned, "I cannot speak about what situation was at that cabinet meeting because I do not know, but I realized the emergency declaration when I heard the presidential address."
In response to inquiries about revealing opinions for and against the state of emergency, Minister Park conveyed, "Many politicians, including ruling party members, have expressed their views, even if I do not have to specifically discuss the state of emergency" and added, "Honestly, it took time to recognize the situation regarding the emergency declaration."
Minister Park explained that he held an emergency meeting with senior officials of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport immediately after the state of emergency declaration. He stated, "Everyone was in their proper position and maintaining communication networks to grasp the situation, and I advised to be cautious in our words and actions" and added, "I instructed them to contact the associations so that buses and taxis could operate normally the next morning, even though it was late at night."
Regarding the resignation of cabinet members, Minister Park explained, "After the lifting of the state of emergency, it was agreed to express the intention to resign at the cabinet meeting presided over by the Prime Minister" and noted, "I am prepared to resign at any time." He further stated, "I, too, am not attached to my position, and there is a consensus that all of us, whether we attended the cabinet meeting just before the declaration or not, cannot avoid a sense of responsibility."
Nevertheless, when asked whether he thinks President Yoon's declaration of martial law is a rebellion, Minister Park responded, "It is difficult for me to speak in my capacity as a cabinet member" and added, "Those who have authority and responsibility will make a judgment after going through sufficient procedures."
Minister Park emphasized that he would strive to restore the government's normal operations as a head of an administrative department. He stated, "As a cabinet member, I have the duty to oversee the affairs of the administration and among the ministers of each department" and added, "I believe my priority should be to ensure that the public does not worry about issues, such as matters concerning the first new towns."