Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on the 20th that he believes there are 'formal and substantive defects' regarding the Cabinet meeting held on the day of the declaration of the 'State of Emergency' on Dec. 3 during President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial.
The Constitutional Court conducted the 10th plea hearing for President Yoon's impeachment trial that afternoon. During the hearing, witness questioning took place for Prime Minister Han, Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service, and Jo Ji-ho, chief of the Korean National Police Agency.
As the first witness, Prime Minister Han was asked whether the Cabinet meeting proceeded according to procedure before the declaration of the 'State of Emergency' on Dec. 3. The constitution and martial law stipulate that the declaration and repeal of the state of emergency must go through the Cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Han noted, 'It was different from a regular Cabinet meeting, and there were formal and substantive defects.' However, he added, 'I was informed to come on Dec. 3, and the Cabinet members met sequentially. After hearing about the state of emergency for the first time, they expressed concern and worry,' stating, 'Whether this was a Cabinet meeting or not is not something for individuals to judge; it should be assessed through the investigation and judicial procedures.'
President Yoon said during the 7th plea hearing of the impeachment trial on the 11th, 'It's nonsense to say that Cabinet members came to the presidential office for a meeting or to hang out.' He stated that the Cabinet meeting proceeded according to procedure.
When asked if anyone supported the state of emergency, Prime Minister Han replied, 'Everyone expressed opposition and concern.' When the National Assembly side reiterated, 'Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun said there were people who supported the state of emergency, so why is the statement different?' Prime Minister Han stated, 'In my memory, that is not the case at all.'
When Constitutional Judge Kim Hyung-du asked again, 'Can it be viewed as a Cabinet meeting?' Prime Minister Han responded, 'It was different from a regular Cabinet meeting,' and agreed significantly when asked whether it was not a Cabinet meeting.