On March 4, a CBT reporter conducted an exclusive interview with Ahn Gwi-ryeong, who has become a symbol of resistance against the 12.3 Martial Law, at the National Assembly Communication Building.

Q1. Please introduce yourself.

  Hello, I am Ahn Gwi-ryeong, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea and the regional chairperson for Dobong Gap in Seoul.

Q2. On Dec. 3, 2024, at 10:27 PM, Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of martial law through a national address. How did you feel when you heard the news?

  At that moment, with some of our party officials, I was having a late dinner near Yeongdeungpo Market, not far from the National Assembly. Suddenly, we heard that Yoon was about to make a national address. I thought, ‘At this hour?’ Normally, such announcements are made during the day. I wondered, ‘Is it right at 10 PM and not 10 AM?’ Then, a YouTube link to the live broadcast was posted. We all watched it together, and at first, he was talking about anti-state forces and the budget. Then, he suddenly declared a state of martial law. I was utterly shocked and bewildered. However, since our party had been warning since the last general election that this kind of declaration could happen, I had a vague understanding that if martial law were imposed, the National Assembly would be controlled. Therefore, everyone at the table immediately thought, ‘We need to get to the National Assembly.’ And that is what we did. If we had not been mentally prepared for the possibility of martial law, I think I would have been so shocked that I wouldn’t have known what to do at that moment.

Q3. Right after martial law was declared, you were seen confronting the soldiers in front of the National Assembly, grabbing a soldier’s rifle and shouting, ʻAre you not ashamed?’ This moment was selected by the BBC as one of the ʻ12 Most Striking Images of 2024.’ Can you describe what happened and how you felt?

  There was only one way to lift martial law—by having the National Assembly pass a resolution to revoke it. In order to ensure the vote could take place, we had to prevent the martial law soldiers from entering and removing assemblymen. If they were dragged out, there would be no quorum for the vote. So, I knew we had to protect the main assembly hall, and that is why I went to the front lines to confront the martial law soldiers. During the standoff, there was physical pushing and shoving. My arm was grabbed, and in the struggle to free myself, I ended up pushing back and grabbing a rifle in the process. I am only human, and of course, I was scared. The sound of helicopters hovering above, the heavy footsteps of soldiers marching—it was terrifying. The sight of the National Assembly at night, transformed into something I had never imagined, filled me with fear. As I stood there facing the soldiers, memories of my parents, my friends, and happy moments from my past all flashed through my mind. I thought, ‘I might not survive this. There might be no tomorrow. And Yoon Suk-yeol has truly lost his mind. What will happen to our country?’ Although my photo and video went viral, the scene was pure chaos, and there were many people far braver than I was. Some stood in front of armored vehicles with nothing but their bodies, and others were injured while resisting. I feel humbled by the attention I received because there were so many others who fought just as fiercely, if not more.

Q4. Your act of resistance against the martial law soldiers was not only recognized domestically but also gained global attention. You have given multiple interviews to foreign media about the insurrection. What were the key topics discussed?

  I was interviewed by media outlets from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, France, and more. I imagine that even from an international perspective, the situation must have seemed absurd. One of the most frequently asked questions was why I thought Yoon declared martial law. Another common question was whether I believed South Korea could regress into a dictatorship. I was born into a democratic society where freedom was a given. But when I thought about it, the full realization of our democracy does not have such a long history. I had taken it for granted, perhaps even forgotten how fragile democracy could be. From an outsider’s viewpoint, South Korea may have appeared as a nation that could easily slip back into dictatorship under the unchecked rule of a single leader. That worried me—what would happen to our diplomatic standing in the world? My response was ‘South Korea is a nation with a proud history of citizens fighting for democracy. And once again, we are proving that. The people will reclaim our democracy again, and it will not take long. I urged to watch us.’

Q5. The resolution demanding the lifting of martial law was unanimously passed in the National Assembly, and martial law was lifted about six hours later. What was the situation on the ground?

  When we were confronting the martial law soldiers outside, my aides and party members kept shouting, checking how many lawmakers had made it inside. ʻHow many are in now? Have we reached the quorum?ʼ We needed at least 150 lawmakers for the resolution to pass. I was in the middle of the standoff when suddenly, people started clapping and cheering. That is when I realized—ʻAh, it passed.ʼ Everyone was shouting, celebrating, and telling the soldiers to leave. But even after the National Assembly passed the resolution demanding the end of martial law, Yoon did not make the official declaration. Despite the vote, unease remained. Some were saying that the martial law soldiers had not fully withdrawn, that they were regrouping somewhere. Rumors spread—‘Is he planning a second martial law declaration?’ ‘Even if we pass the resolution, what if they just storm in again?’ The uncertainty made the atmosphere tense and filled with worry. Then, at 4 AM, Yoon finally gave a public address, saying he would lift martial law but needed time because there were not enough Cabinet members to meet the quorum for an official decision. Everyone was like, ʻWhat the?ʼ The idea that Cabinet members were not even gathered in such a critical moment was absurd. And with Yoon using this excuse, we did not know what else he might attempt. Therefore, we all remained inside the National Assembly, waiting. Eventually, martial law was lifted, but lifting does not mean everything was resolved. The fact that Yoon declared martial law in the first place had already caused irreversible damage to our country. Even now, we are in a situation that is practically a rebellion or insurrection.

Q6. How do you perceive the current state of our society amid the insurrection and impeachment crisis, and what direction should democracy take?

  Looking at the citizens bravely standing up against this injustice and irrationality, I realize again that justice and common sense prevail, in the end. I am reminded of the strength of the people. After all, the solidarity of ordinary people is what ultimately protects and changes the world. It reminds me once again of its power. However, democracy is currently facing a crisis since Yoon’s declaration of martial law threw our nation into a state of insurrection. As social polarization deepens, people only see and hear what they want, further intensifying ideological divisions. Since politics has played a major role in fueling this divide, I feel a sense of responsibility as someone in the political sphere. It is time to think deeply about how to end the civil war as soon as possible, resolve this conflict, and bring harmony to our society.

Q7. After experiencing the political turmoil since 12.3 Martial Law, 2024, what thoughts and reflections have you had?

  I have had many sleepless nights. This insurrection is not over yet. Yoon has continued to lie and make excuses at the Constitutional Court, and as the rebellion investigation proceeds, he will likely resist and make more absurd claims. This ongoing situation concerns me deeply, and I have had many nightmares. This ordeal has made me question whether democracy in our country has ever truly been complete. It has led me to fundamental questions—what is democracy? What are human rights? If there is anything gained from this crisis, it is that the true nature of the ruling party and far-right forces has been exposed. They have no place in our society anymore. And now it is up to the remaining political figures to rebuild what has been lost. One particularly striking aspect of this revolution has been the incredible role played by young people, especially those in their 20s and 30s. As someone in my 30s, I feel a responsibility to work alongside them to drive societal change. Their political participation will not stop simply because Yoon is removed from power. Having experienced the effectiveness of their activism—from the passage of the impeachment bill in the National Assembly to Yoon’s arrest and indictment—they will likely continue striving to implement their own ideas and agendas in society. I am thinking about how to make the political establishment more receptive to young people’s political participation.

Q8. You were a news anchor before entering politics in early 2022. What led you to transition into politics?

  I spent my university years preparing for broadcast journalism, particularly anchor positions. However, by the time I entered the job market, the industry had changed significantly. Aside from the major networks like KBS, MBC, and SBS, most anchor positions were freelance or contract-based rather than permanent. At first, I accepted these conditions because I loved this work. However, once I was in the field as contract worker, I encountered deep-seated structural inequalities and discrimination in company. Female anchors, in particular, are vulnerable as they often lack permanent contracts and do not receive maternity leave or parental benefits. I saw my senior colleagues forced to choose between pregnancy and their careers. I was simply excited to pursue my dream in my 20s, but as I entered my 30s, I began to see how these issues could affect me personally. That realization made me think: ‘Someone needs to speak out about this. Someone needs to fight for change.’ That’s what pushed me into politics. And I always remind myself of that determination to stay grounded in my work.

Q9. What direction do you want to take in your political career? If you enter the National Assembly, what issues would you prioritize?

  My motivation for entering politics stemmed from labor rights issues, particularly the treatment of non-regular workers. Most students worry about employment, but not everyone can land a high-paying, permanent job at a large corporation. Our society has a wide variety of job types, and young people are especially vulnerable in precarious employment situations. The recent case of MBC weathercaster Oh Yo-anna, who was harassed at work, highlights these issues. I aim to bring about meaningful change for contract workers so that they are not subjected to discrimination or harassment. I believe that all workers, including non-regular employees, should be legally recognized as workers. I also want to pursue legislation that ensures the safety and well-being of those in precarious employment. Moreover, my experience in regional politics has deepened my interest in supporting small business owners, especially young entrepreneurs. I am also committed to addressing housing issues for young people.

Q10. As a young politician, do you have any words for the younger generation?

  When people think of Korean politics, words like Hatred, Apathy, and Disillusionment often come to mind. Only for that very reason, I want more young people to take an active interest in politics. Because these are exactly what those in power want. The less people know about and engage in politics, the more those in power will manipulate the system to serve their own interests, protecting and expanding their privileges. Only by paying attention, holding them accountable, and actively participating can we ensure policies that serve the people and improve our lives. Many may feel frustrated that Yoon’s impeachment is taking too long, but even if the process seems slow, it is essential to remember that this is how democracy works. I encourage everyone to stay engaged in politics. Politics is not just for a select few, but it is deeply connected to all of our lives and daily routines. If we truly want a nation where the people are the sovereign, your attention and participation are indispensable.

Q11. As someone who went through university before today’s students, what advice would you give them?

  Looking back, I think I was always anxious during my university years. I constantly felt like I was falling behind others, which made me uneasy. In retrospect, although my progress was slow, I still feel like I was growing. In fact, my journey to becoming an anchor started with small part-time jobs at small broadcasting stations. After several job changes, I eventually joined YTN, one of the companies I had dreamed of working for. Although it was a non-permanent position, each small achievement along the way helped strengthen me. Reflecting on this, if I could talk to my university self, I would say: “Even if today’s achievements or joys seem small, they will eventually make you stronger and more capable.” To any students feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty—do not let anxiety consume you. Appreciate even the smallest victories, because over time, they will add up to something truly meaningful.

Q12. Finally, is there anything else you would like to share?

  I sincerely thank you for coming all the way to the National Assembly to listen to my story. Back when I was in university, I do not think I paid much attention to politics or social issues. I was too busy hanging out with friends or preparing for my career. Thank you again for your time and interest.