Presidential Office: “Clearly False, U.S.-Korea Alliance Disruption”,
The Democratic Party raised suspicions on the 7th, claiming that Kim Tae-hyo, the first deputy director of the National Security Office, had a conversation with Philip Goldberg, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, on December 4th of last year, the day after the martial law situation. It was alleged that Kim said martial law was inevitable to eradicate anti-state forces. The presidential office countered, stating it was “clearly false.”
Jeong Dong-yong, head of the Democratic Party’s special committee for overcoming turmoil and ensuring national security, indicated during a meeting at the National Assembly that on the day martial law was declared, Ambassador Goldberg attempted to contact various government agencies but couldn’t reach anyone. He claimed that the only person Goldberg managed to speak with in the morning, after the martial law was lifted on the 4th, was a key member of the National Security Council (NSC), referred to as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s “brain.”
Jeong further stated, “Although martial law had been lifted, this person reiterated to Ambassador Goldberg that ‘the legislative dictatorship had ruined Korea’s judicial administration system, and martial law was inevitable to eradicate anti-state forces.’ Goldberg was reportedly shocked by this conversation.” Jeong identified the person who spoke with Goldberg as Deputy Director Kim.
He also mentioned that he heard this information when he accompanied U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken as a preparatory committee chairman for the South Korea-U.S. parliamentarians’ alliance during Blinken’s visit to National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik. Democratic Party Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae mentioned that it hasn’t been confirmed whether Jeong heard this officially or in a private context.
Jeong emphasized that they need to identify the control tower behind Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law, which he insisted was a move to proclaim a “second Yushin.” He stated, “There is a planner who oversaw preparations for a permanent coup, and although they are hidden now, we need to reveal this aspect and expose the blueprint for permanent rule.”
The presidential office strongly refuted the claims. They clarified in a statement that Deputy Director Kim received a call from Ambassador Goldberg on the night of December 3rd, shortly after martial law was declared, not on December 4th. According to the presidential office, during this call, Kim simply stated that he was not aware of any matters beyond the televised presidential statement and suggested continuing government communication while observing future developments.
The presidential office accused the opposition of initially misleading the public by claiming Kim avoided Goldberg’s calls and, as that was proven false, they were now spreading “absurd fake news” about comments never made. They argued this was an attempt to disrupt the U.S.-Korea alliance and demanded an immediate stop, expressing strong regret.