Martial law...Even the ruling party leadership didn't know.

[Anchor]
The emergency martial law, which was declared in a surprise move, does not appear to have been shared in advance by the ruling party, the leadership of the People's Power.

In a situation where communication between the ruling party and the government is blocked, the ruling party cannot hide its embarrassment.

This is reporter Kim Kyung-soo.

[Reporter]
Han Dong-hoon, representative of the People's Power, convened an emergency supreme council meeting at the central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, shortly after the emergency martial law was declared.

He asked a reporter who was guarding the company to film him on his cell phone and delivered a message to the public saying, "Don't worry," but he seemed to be embarrassed.

[Han Dong-hoon / Representative of the People's Power: I had no idea of the people's power. We need to protect liberal democracy. Together with the people, we must prevent this false declaration of martial law....]

The same was true of floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, who was not aware of the situation.

The ruling party's "two-top" did not even notice what had happened in 45 years and for the first time since democratization.

[Choo Kyung-ho / People's Power Floor Leader: I found out after watching the news. Because it was conducted without any communication with the presidential office....]

With the leadership in this situation, the entire ruling party is simply in chaos.

The lawmakers were scrambling because they didn't know where to go between the National Assembly and the party.

[BAE JUN YOUNG / Deputy floor leader of People's Power: Due to a sudden incident, we are not able to gather together again. I hope the President will lift martial law as soon as possible....]

While the resolution calling for the lifting of martial law was passed led by opposition lawmakers, about 50 ruling party lawmakers watched the situation in silence at the headquarters.

I'm Kim Kyungsoo of YTN.

Filmmaker: Lee Sung-mo, Lee Seung-chang, Han Sang-won
Video editing: Han Soo-min