Ahn Cheol-soo Cites Police Blockade as Reason for Missing Martial Law Repeal Vote

Ahn Cheolsoo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, cited the police blockade of the National Assembly as the reason he was unable to take part in the parliamentary vote to lift martial law during the Dec. 3 emergency martial law declaration. Appearing as a witness in the trial of former People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyungho, held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 8th, Ahn testified that he headed to the National Assembly after hearing the news of the martial law declaration, but was unable to enter because police were blocking the doors to the Assembly. He said he eventually moved to the People Power Party headquarters. In response to claims to the effect that former floor leader Choo had tried to prevent lawmakers from participating in the vote, Ahn said the party had not obstructed anything. He explained that although the location of the lawmakers' general meeting changed several times on the day of martial law, whether to attend the vote was a matter for each individual lawmaker to decide.