[AI Library] Chapter 2: A Man Standing Before the Gun Barrel
The Han Dong-hoon Story
Chapter 2: A Man Standing Before the Gun Barrel
Kim Kyung-jin
The Han Dong-hoon Story
PART 01 The Night He Chose Country Over Faction · Text 02
When Han Dong-hoon arrived at the National Assembly, the situation was indistinguishable from wartime.
Armed martial law troops were attempting to enter the National Assembly. The sound of breaking glass mixed with helicopter noise created pandemonium.
Word came from various quarters that his name, as the ruling party leader, appeared on the arrest list. Martial law troops had infiltrated even the room adjacent to the People Power Party leader's office.
The situation was so severe that testimony later emerged about threats of being shot during the arrest and transfer process.
With the help of opposition lawmakers, Han Dong-hoon was able to enter the main chamber. It was a matter of protecting the constitution that transcended partisan divisions.
Lawmakers gathered inside the main chamber. Ruling party members were scarce. Han Dong-hoon urged the People Power Party lawmakers to assemble in the National Assembly. He persuaded them via Telegram and phone. "We must block martial law for conservatism to survive," "We must fulfill our duty as constitutional institutions." As a result, 18 People Power Party lawmakers converged in the main chamber. Had only opposition lawmakers voted to lift martial law, the president might have dismissed it as 'incitement by anti-state forces.' The 'trans-partisan rejection' carried out together by the ruling party leader and lawmakers gave it constitutional legitimacy that no justification could conceal.
At that moment, Lee Jae-myung, then leader of the Democratic Party, was in hiding, evading arrest and waiting to see how events unfolded. Han Dong-hoon was standing in the very center of the National Assembly main chamber. He later recalled it this way: 'Leader Lee Jae-myung came in only an hour later. I went in right away, risking my life.'
At 1 a.m. on December 4, a resolution demanding the lifting of emergency martial law was presented, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik presiding.
Numbers appeared on the electronic board.
Members present: 190. Votes in favor: 190. It was unanimous passage, with all present members voting in favor. It was the moment the distinction between ruling and opposition parties vanished. Among those 190 votes were Han Dong-hoon and 18 ruling party lawmakers who followed him. The votes they cast were not mere affirmative votes. They were a declaration that they would not abandon democracy, even before gun barrels.
Only then did Han Dong-hoon let out a sigh of relief.
That very moment divided the fate of the Republic of Korea. He said this: 'Had we failed to lift martial law that night, a horrific bloodbath would have broken out between citizens and young soldiers who took to the streets the next morning.'
Right after the vote, Han Dong-hoon stood before the reporters. His voice was firm: 'By the National Assembly's decision, the unconstitutional and illegal declaration of martial law that occurred last night has lost its effect. Any exercise of public authority by the military and police based on the current martial law order is illegal.'
This declaration became clear guidance for the military, police, and civil servants who were in chaos. It played a decisive role in preventing further illegal conduct.
He bowed his head. 'As the ruling party, I deeply regret that such a situation arose.'
If this book stayed with you, even for a moment, please support the publication of the next story.
(We welcome voluntary support. Account: NH Bank 302-1096-0948-81, Account holder: Kim Kyung-jin)
Kim Kyung-jin
Attorney · Former Member of the National Assembly · AI Policy Researcher
© 2026 Kim Kyung-jin. All rights reserved.