The former Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Lee Sang-min, was accused on the 13th of having given orders to the Fire Agency to cut off power and water to some media outlets at the time of the declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3.
Fire Agency Administrator Heo Seok-gon, in a full meeting of the National Assembly's Administration and Security Committee that afternoon, was asked by Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Geon-young whether there were any instructions from then-Minister Lee Sang-min during a meeting chaired by the Fire Agency Administrator on the day of the martial law announcement. He replied, "I received a phone call during the meeting," adding, "I don't remember clearly."
After that, Administrator Heo noted, when lawmaker Yoon asked, "I think it's best to think carefully and answer as it is," He responded, "There wasn't a clear instruction to cut off power and water, but it was more of a request for cooperation if the police made one."
Administrator Heo further explained that when lawmaker Yoon asked whether he had transferred such (power and water cut) instructions to a third party or if there were reports claiming that he had issued such instructions, he said, "I discussed it with the Vice Administrator who was next to me, but no specific action was taken on that part," adding, "It was a request for cooperation if the Korean National Police Agency requested something regarding specific media outlets."
In response to lawmaker Yoon's question about what he thought of the illegal and unconstitutional Minister's orders, he stated, "That day was quite urgent, but cutting off power and water isn't one of the obligations of firefighting, is it?" He continued, "I cannot give a clear answer regarding that (to the Minister), nor did the Minister give me clear instructions." He added that it was about cooperating if a request came from the Korean National Police Agency.