Press Releases
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National Assembly extends operation of memorial altar for victims of passenger plane crash
National Assembly extends operation of memorial altar for victims of passenger plane crash - Extended until Jan. 10, beyond the national mourning period ending on Jan. 4 The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (Speaker Woo Won-shik) has decided to extend operation of the memorial altar near the National Assembly’s main gate where Assembly members and the public can pay their respects to victims of the Dec. 29, 2024 passenger plane crash at Muan Airport. The altar will remain open until Jan. 10. The memorial was originally scheduled to remain open until Jan. 4, the last day of the national mourning period. Due to the prolonged recovery period following the crash, however, with victims’ funerals still incomplete and bereaved families continuing to endure a long and difficult mourning process, the decision was made to offer continued support and allow the public to join in expressing their condolences. From Jan. 5 to 10, the altar’s operating hours will be adjusted from the original 08:00-21:00 to 09:00-20:00. During the extended memorial period, the National Assembly Secretariat will employ all necessary measures to ensure that citizens can safely and comfortably pay their respects to the victims.
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Statement to the press by National Assembly Secretary General on the release of CCTV footage related to deployment of martial law troops and alleged arrest attempt at the Speaker’s official residence
Statement to the press by National Assembly Secretary General on the release of CCTV footage related to deployment of martial law troops and alleged arrest attempt at the Speaker’s official residenceI am Kim Min-ki, Secretary General of the National Assembly.In the early morning hours of Dec. 4, allegations surfaced through media reports that approximately 10 armed soldiers were deployed to the National Assembly Speaker's official residence with the intent of arresting the Speaker.According to these reports, the armed soldiers were deployed to the Speaker’s residence even after the National Assembly had passed a resolution demanding the termination of martial law. The soldiers allegedly remained on-site until after martial law was officially lifted by the Cabinet meeting.This matter is of grave concern as it pertains to the personal safety of the National Assembly Speaker, the head of the legislative branch. As the Secretary General, responsible for the Speaker’s safety, I deemed it necessary to verify the facts. Accordingly, we conducted a comprehensive review of CCTV footage from the Speaker’s official residence and identified relevant videos.Today, I intend to provide a detailed explanation to the public and call for a clear explanation from the Ministry of National Defense regarding the allegations.Let us first watch the CCTV footage.First Video: The footage shows martial law forces walking along the perimeter wall of the Speaker’s official residence in Hannam-dong at 1:42 a.m. on Dec. 4, shortly after the National Assembly passed a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law.Second Video: At 1:50 a.m., martial law forces are seen assembling at the main gate to the Speaker’s residence. They positioned themselves strategically and began surveillance and control operations.Third Video: At 4:45 a.m., 15 minutes after the Cabinet officially lifted martial law at 4:30 a.m., martial law forces finally withdrew from the vicinity of the residence.The footage clearly confirms that martial law forces were deployed around the Speaker’s residence. The media allegations regarding the intent to arrest the Speaker and potential preparation for a second martial law must be thoroughly investigated.As Secretary General, I urge the Ministry of National Defense to provide explanations on the following three matters:First, why were forces deployed to the Speaker’s residence despite the National Assembly’s resolution demanding the termination of martial law?The CCTV footage shows 13 soldiers gathered at the main gate to the Speaker’s residence at 1:50 a.m., 50 minutes after the National Assembly had passed the resolution at 1:00 a.m.The martial law forces remained around the residence until 4:45 a.m., even after the Cabinet officially lifted martial law at 4:30 a.m.Was there an order to arrest the Speaker, who might have returned to the residence after the resolution, or was there an intention to prepare for a second martial law? The Ministry of National Defense must clarify this.Second, who were the forces deployed to the residence and under whose orders were they acting?The CCTV footage shows 11 uniformed soldiers and two unidentified individuals in civilian attire.The two men in civilian clothing, wearing padded jackets, appear to be leading the martial law forces. Are they members of the Counterintelligence Command or the Intelligence Command? Their affiliation and identity must be clearly disclosed.The Speaker has formally requested that the Ministry of National Defense provide details on the affiliation, rank, name, commanding officer, and chain of command for all 13 individuals appearing in the footage. A prompt and thorough explanation from the Ministry is necessary.Third, what was the scale and armament level of the deployed forces?Beyond the personnel identified in the CCTV footage, were additional forces deployed around the residence?The Ministry of National Defense must disclose the deployment details, purpose, and armament levels of all military units stationed near the Speaker’s residence on the day in question.Lastly, to the investigative authorities:The CCTV footage released today confirms the deployment of armed forces to the National Assembly Speaker’s residence. I call for a swift and thorough investigation into the various allegations that have been raised.This concludes my statement. Thank you.
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Speaker Woo urges parliaments worldwide to support democracy of the Republic of Korea
Speaker Woo Won-shik urges parliaments worldwide to support democracy of the Republic of Korea- Pledges that Koreans’ resolve to protect democracy and constitutional order will never waver- Requests support for Korea’s democratic resilience and the National Assembly’s efforts, while making a commitment to the safety of foreign nationals in KoreaSpeaker of the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Woo Won-shik has sent letters to parliaments around the world asking for their trust in and support for the country’s democracy in the face of the recent martial law crisis.Speaker Woo stated in the letter: “While there may be concerns regarding the Republic of Korea’s current situation, the National Assembly, as a constitutional institution representing the will of the people, is doing its utmost to stabilize the present unrest with the strong support of the public. “The Korean people’s determination to protect democracy and constitutional order will never falter,” he assured them. Woo emphasized that democracy is deeply rooted in the Republic of Korea, which has a history of restoring constitutional order through peaceful and democratic means. He expressed hope to his counterparts worldwide that they will extend their unwavering trust in and support for the resilience of the country’s democracy and the efforts of its National Assembly.Speaker Woo also expressed confidence that the National Assembly is fully committed to swiftly resolving the current situation, having recognized its significance for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. He requested continued international attention and cooperation while pledging that the National Assembly will make every effort to ensure the peace and safety of all foreign nationals in Korea. Speaker Woo sent priority letters on Dec. 11 to the G7 nations (United States, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Canada), the European Parliament, and key P20 countries (India, Australia, Spain, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Türkiye, South Africa, China, and Indonesia).* Letters to the parliaments of a total of 119 countries will be sent by the end of the week.
* Excluding G7 countries duplicated within the P20. Dec 26, 2024 Statement to the press by National Assembly Secretary General on cooperation with martial law investigations Statement to the press by National Assembly Secretary General on cooperation with martial law investigations I am Kim Min-ki, Secretary General of the National Assembly. The National Assembly Secretariat received a request for cooperation from the Special Investigation Unit for Martial Law under the National Police Agency on Dec. 7. A similar request was made on Dec. 8 by the Special Investigation Headquarters for Martial Law under the Prosecution Service. And today, December 9, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) also requested cooperation.These requests all pertain to the provision of CCTV footage relating to the martial law incident and details of damages sustained by the National Assembly. The National Assembly Secretariat will submit CCTV footage capturing the illegal intrusion by martial law forces and the identified human and material damages to the respective investigative agencies today. The 10-minute-long CCTV footage released to the media last week will be provided immediately. The full-length version of the footage, currently being downloaded on account of its large size, will also be reviewed for potential submission at an appropriate time. In addition, we will submit information on the human and material damages sustained by the National Assembly, as requested by the investigative agencies. As of now, the Secretariat has confirmed the following: - Human injuries: Approximately 10 staff members suffered injuries including rib and finger sprains, abrasions, and toe lacerations.- Material damages: Damages include broken windows and shattered glass on the second floor of the Main Building, where martial law forces unlawfully entered. The cost to repair these damages is estimated at KRW 66 million. It is important to note that these figures are preliminary estimates. A more accurate investigation is expected to reveal even higher levels of damage and cost. In addition, today the National Assembly Secretariat will officially begin accepting reports on lost items belonging to the martial law forces. These reports will also be provided to investigative agencies at the appropriate time. To the People of Korea, During the period of martial law, the police unlawfully imposed a total blockade on the National Assembly, obstructing Members of the National Assembly and staff from entering the premises to attend plenary sessions and ensure a functioning legislature.Martial law forces unlawfully intruded upon the National Assembly premises, including via helicopters, and attempted to paralyze its functions by preventing the opening of a plenary session held to demand the lifting of martial law.These actions exceeded the constitutional and legal boundaries of martial law. In the process of responding to these unlawful actions, numerous National Assembly staff including guards, security personnel, and aides suffered injuries, and significant damage was inflicted on Assembly facilities and equipment. The National Assembly Secretariat resolutely maintains that those responsible for the martial law incident must be held strictly accountable in accordance with the Constitution and the law. We urge investigative agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. Finally, I would like to address one other concern:The police, prosecution, and the CIO are all competing to request investigative materials from the National Assembly Secretariat. While the Secretariat will fully cooperate with all agencies, the overlapping requests and apparent jurisdictional conflicts among the investigative bodies are concerning. As the leader of the institution that suffered the harm, I express my apprehension with this situation. Thank you. -
Statement to the press by Secretary General on damage caused to NA building and footage release
Statement to the Press by the National Assembly’s Secretary General on Damage Caused to the National Assembly Building and the Release of Related FootageRespected People of Korea,I am Kim Min-ki, Secretary General of the National Assembly.Over the past two days, unconstitutional and unlawful acts have occurred at the National Assembly following the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk-yeol. As the Secretary General responsible for the safety and order of the National Assembly, I express my strongest objection toward these actions, as well as the physical damages and losses caused as a result of them.At 10:23 p.m. on December 3, President Yoon declared martial law. Shortly afterward, at 10:50 p.m., police closed the outer gates of the National Assembly and barred entry by lawmakers and staff.From 11:48 p.m. on December 3 to 1:18 a.m. on December 4, the Ministry of National Defense deployed about 230 armed martial law troops into the National Assembly grounds through 24 helicopter landings.In addition, at 12:40 a.m., another 50 martial law troops entered by scaling the outer walls of the National Assembly.These armed troops attempted to breach the Assembly Hall through the main entrance and the rear information desk. At 12:34 a.m. on December 4, they forcibly entered the building by breaking the glass windows of a second-floor office in the Assembly Hall.The National Assembly made every effort to block their illegal intrusion. At 1:00 a.m. on December 4, the plenary passed a Resolution Demanding the Lifting of Martial Law.Speaker Woo Won-shik declared the martial law null and void, explicitly demanding the withdrawal of the martial law troops. Subsequent to this demand, the troops began to withdraw at 1:11 a.m., and by 2:03 a.m., all troops had vacated the National Assembly grounds.The illegal closure of the National Assembly following the declaration of martial law, the obstruction of lawmakers’ access to the Assembly as mandated by the Constitution and laws, and the use of military force to trample upon the Assembly Hall have inflicted profound harm on the hearts of the Korean people.Starting today, the National Assembly Secretariat has implemented a total ban on entry into the National Assembly Building by personnel from the Ministry of National Defense, police, and other related entities. This is an urgent measure intended to ensure the protection of lawmakers and safeguard the functions of the Assembly.The National Assembly Secretariat will conduct a thorough investigation into the physical damages and losses incurred following the martial law declaration. We will pursue full legal accountability for all unlawful acts. Furthermore, the Secretariat will continue to take prompt and necessary actions to protect the Assembly and its members.In light of this unprecedented illegal act, in which martial law troops broke the windows of the National Assembly Building and advanced to the entrance of the plenary chamber, the Secretariat has decided to release all CCTV footage capturing the unlawful actions of these troops. This decision has been made in the interest of the public’s right to know.
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National Assembly members attend the 149th IPU Assembly
National Assembly members attend the 149th IPU Assembly- Held from Oct. 13 to 17 in Geneva, Switzerland- Delegation included National Assembly members Lee In-young and Jin Sun-mee (Democratic Party of Korea) - Discussions held on 'Harnessing science, technology, and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future'The delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (led by Speaker Woo Won-shik) attended the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly*, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from Oct. 13 to 17. The Assembly welcomed 678 representatives from 129 countries, with National Assembly members Lee In-young and Jin Sun-mee (Democratic Party of Korea) representing the Republic of Korea. * The IPU is an international parliamentary organization established to foster dialogue and cooperation among parliaments worldwide. It currently has 181 members and 14 associate members and convenes biannual assemblies in the spring and fall each year.The main theme for the 149th assembly was “Harnessing science, technology, and innovation for a more peaceful and sustainable future.” Standing committees discussed a variety of topics including: ▲ the role of parliaments in advancing a two-State solution in Palestine (Standing Committee on Peace and International Security); ▲ parliamentary strategies to mitigate the long-lasting impact of conflicts, including armed conflicts, on sustainable development (Standing Committee on Sustainable Development); and ▲ the impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law (Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights).Ahead of the formal assembly sessions, the Korean delegation participated in the ASEAN+3 Group and Asia-Pacific Geopolitical Group (APG) meetings to elect new members to vacant IPU committee seats assigned to the APG. Elected members included Hasni bin Mohammad (Malaysia, First Standing Committee); Deborah O'Neill (Australia, Third Standing Committee); Anurag Singh Thakur (India, Fourth Standing Committee); Visaradee Techateerawat (Thailand, Women's Parliamentary Forum); Fathimath Sauda (Maldives, Young Parliamentarians Forum); Asma Rasheed (Maldives) and Lata Wankhede (India) to the High-Level Advisory Group on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism; and Nophadol In-na (Thailand) and Bijuli Kalita Medhi (India) to the Working Group on Science and Technology.During the general debate, Korean delegation head Lee In-young delivered a speech that began by introducing the works “Human Acts” and “We Do Not Part” by Han Kang, Korea’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature. He expressed pride in sharing the news with the global delegation, noting that “It served as an important milestone to share the depth, diversity, and message of peace through Korean literature.” In relation to the assembly’s main theme, Lee underscored the “need for ongoing parliamentary attention and effort to ensure that the benefits of science, technology and innovation (STI) reach all members of society.” He also highlighted Korea’s legislative and policy efforts to both promote STI and safeguard the public from the potentially adverse effects of technological advancements.The Korean delegation also contributed to resolution discussions in the Third Standing Committee. Assembly member Jin Sun-mee participated in a panel talk on the impact of artificial intelligence on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, where she introduced the Framework Act on Artificial Intelligence proposed by the 22nd National Assembly, and shared the ongoing efforts in Korea, including forums, seminars, and legislative debates, to address human rights issues and minimize risks associated with the development of AI.On October 13, the Korean delegation held a bilateral meeting with the Cambodian delegation, led by Second Vice President of the Senate Ouch Borith, focused on strengthening the two countries’ strategic partnership. Topics included enhancing diplomatic cooperation between the two parliaments to promote trade, investment, and development cooperation, expanding the Employment Permit System quota, and strengthening Korea-ASEAN cooperation, all in support of fostering closer relations between the two nations.The IPU Assembly will conclude with a closing ceremony on Oct. 17, during which the Korean delegation will participate in the final adoption of each committee’s resolutions and outcome documents. The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea intends to continue its active participation in the IPU Assembly by engaging in in-depth discussions on key issues and fostering parliamentary diplomacy to enhance international cooperation and address global challenges.