Special ops commander reveals President Yoon's order to 'drag out lawmakers' from National Assembly

By Park Sae-jin Posted : December 10, 2024, 20:34 Updated : December 10, 2024, 20:38
Army Special Warfare Command SWC Commander Kwak Jong-geun answers questions regarding the deployment of troops during martial law at the National Assembly Defense Committees plenary session on the afternoon of Dec 10 Yonhap
Army Special Warfare Command (SWC) Commander Kwak Jong-geun answers questions regarding the deployment of troops during martial law at the National Assembly Defense Committee's plenary session on the afternoon of Dec. 10. Yonhap

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea's Army Special Warfare Command (SWC) commander Kwak Jong-geun revealed on Tuesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered him to "drag out the lawmakers" from the National Assembly Main Hall.

The alleged order came when politicians had gathered to unanimously pass a resolution to lift the emergency martial law early Wednesday, about three hours after the declaration. Straight after the declaration, some dozens of martial forces, consisting of special force operators, raided the National Assembly's main building, to face strong resistance from parliamentary workers who made barricades using office furniture.

Kwak made the revelation during the National Assembly's Defense Committee meeting. "The president personally called me via a secure phone and said: 'It seems that the quorum hasn't been met yet. Breach the doors. Go in, and drag out the people inside,'" Kwak stated, adding that he was initially unsure whether he should follow the president's order.

"However, the field commander firmly told me, 'This cannot be done; there are limitations.' I also judged that his assessment was the correct course of action," Kwak said.

The SWC commander's remarks come amid a rapidly evolving political crisis in South Korea following the surprise declaration and lifting of martial law a week ago. Lawmakers remain divided over the impeachment motion against President Yoon.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) opposes the impeachment, arguing that such an action could destabilize South Korea’s diplomacy, economy, and other critical sectors. In contrast, the Democratic Party (DP) and other opposition parties strongly advocate for impeachment, claiming that Yoon’s declaration of martial law was an act that disregarded the Constitution.

Kwak also revealed that the SWC was aware of the martial law plan two days before its declaration. He said that former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun had ordered him to secure six key locations, including the National Assembly, three National Election Committee offices, and the main office of the DP.

However, Kwak defended his actions, stating that he believed the situation was unrelated to martial law and more likely linked to a potential issue at the front lines with North Korea. "I did not perceive this as martial law but rather as a situation where the possibility of an issue arising at the front lines seemed more significant at the time," he said.
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