Reuters, SEOUL
A South Korean party spokeswoman seen grappling with a rifle-wielding soldier in a video that went viral as a symbol of defiance against martial law on Thursday insisted that she was not especially brave.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was forced to abandon his declaration of martial law this week after 190 lawmakers defied a contingent of soldiers in helmets and body armor and voted unanimously to reject it.
Footage of the lawmakers’ aides tussling with the troops to prevent the soldiers entering the main hall has become a symbol of public rejection of the attempt to impose military rule.
An Gwi-ryeong, spokesperson of South Korea’s Democratic Party, speaks during an interview at the South Korean National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday.
Photo: Reuters
Images went viral showing An Gwi-ryeong, 35, a former TV anchor who serves as spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Party, grappling with a soldier and grabbing hold of his gun.
One video was viewed more than 1.3 million times on YouTube as of yesterday evening.
“My only thought was that I just needed to stop them. I pushed them away, shook them off, and did everything I could,” she said on Thursday.
“A lot of people were fighting against martial law troops so I just thought I also had to stop them,” she added.
As lawmakers were gathered on Tuesday, their aides blocked entrances with furniture, formed human chains and sprayed troops with fire extinguishers.
Just two-and-a-half hours after the president declared martial law, 190 lawmakers had made their way to the parliament and unanimously voted to block it.
“Let go! Don’t you feel the shame?” Ahn can be seen shouting at the soldier in the clip. After she grabs his rifle, the soldier steps back.
Asked if she knew it would gain that much attention, she said: “There were many people braver than me who stood up to the martial law troops.”
“There were people who even managed to stop armored vehicles outside. So, I don’t think my actions were particularly special,” she added.
The commander of the martial law troops on Thursday said he had no intention to wield firearms against the public. South Korean Vice-Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho said no live ammunition was provided to the troops.
South Korean opposition lawmakers plan to vote this weekend to impeach the president.
“I think that the people have already psychologically impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol,” Ahn said.
“Who could trust a president declaring martial law almost like a child playing games or entrust the nation to such leadership?” she added.
