https://youtu.be/_W2FZ8DzQgw?si=80VHrHFYvA38L3LH

Interviewer: Welcome to the program, Foreign Minister. I just want to get your immediate reaction, both politically and perhaps emotionally, since you're far away from your country.

Kang Kyung-wha: Yes, I was watching this on TV this morning, as I usually do every morning to see what's happening in my country. I saw the president making this announcement, which was completely out of the blue. Nothing in the circumstances around the country warranted this. So, it was shocking, to put it mildly. But I was relieved to see the National Assembly acting very quickly to pass a resolution overturning this.

The only step remaining in this process is for the president to accept and acknowledge that the declaration of martial law is now null and void. However, the presidential office, as I understand, is currently very quiet. Citizens have gathered around the National Assembly to protest and make their point that this is completely unacceptable—the way it was handled and announced.

We'll see what unfolds in the morning hours, but it seems all sides, including key figures in the ruling party, are pressing the point that this is completely unacceptable—an aberration.

Interviewer: Foreign Minister Kang, you are now the president of the Asia Society in the United States and deal with many issues of bilateral importance between Asia and the United States. In your early morning tweet, you said you were "stunned at the presidential decision" and stated that "he must accept the National Assembly vote overturning it." What happens if he doesn’t? What power does he have?

It seems, based on the information we have now, that the military is following the parliamentary decree annulling this martial law and declaring it void. Do you expect that to hold? Will the military obey parliament or the president?

Kang Kyung-wha: I think the rule of law requires adherence to constitutional procedures. The way the martial law was declared did not meet constitutional requirements. It was done without going through the necessary process of a cabinet decision.

None of the ministers, aside from the defense minister, seem to have been aware of this. Clearly, there was preparation on the defense side since tanks were rolling and helicopters were in the air minutes after the decree was announced. But on the political side, even key actors within the ruling party seemed unaware of what was coming.

After the National Assembly vote, leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties issued a statement pointing out that the martial law declaration was unconstitutional. It didn't follow due process, so it is illegal. Any orders under this so-called martial law are therefore also unconstitutional and unlawful. Public servants, including the military and police, should not follow orders from this authority, which is itself unlawful.

Interviewer: The president, as you know, is from the right-wing People Power Party. President Yoon has cited reasons like the treachery of North Korean spies and communist holdouts within the body politic for his actions. Who is he, and why do you think he did this?

Kang Kyung-wha: There are key advisers and ministers around him who are staunch anti-communists. I would even call them ideological hardliners. His views have been heavily influenced by these conservatives.

But to jump to the conclusion that there are communist sympathizers and anti-state agents scheming to overthrow the government seems completely unrelated to anything happening in the country. Yes, politics in South Korea is fragmented and polarized. However, it is the president’s duty to bring the country together. Instead, he has further polarized and radicalized the situation with extremist messages.

This is in addition to allegations of wrongdoing against him and the first lady. I believe this political pressure also played a significant role in his decision.

Interviewer: South Korea is a very important ally of the United States. Clearly, the Biden Administration is closely monitoring this situation. Do you see any potential threat to the alliance or the issues that South Korea and the U.S. face in the region?

Kang Kyung-wha: I certainly hope not. Opposition to the president's decision is coming from both the ruling and opposition parties. Even significant portions of the president’s party are against it.

This widespread opposition could help bring stability. I hope this turns out to be an overnight incident, but there are signs this chaos could continue for some time. Still, I don’t think this will affect the U.S.-Korea alliance. Support for the alliance is bipartisan in South Korea, and the United States’ commitment is solid. The alliance is central to the security and well-being of South Korea, so I’m not worried about its impact.

Interviewer: North Korea remains emboldened, now partnering with Russia. Given that, is there any way the president could act constitutionally to reintroduce martial law, or is his presidency finished?