Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Cabinet recommendations for the December 3 martial law decree did not go through him before being presented to President Yoon Suk Yeol during a Cabinet meeting that preceded the declaration.

At a parliamentary questioning session on Friday, Han said he was not aware of the decree and the recommendation, which under the Martial Law Act is required to first go through the prime minister when the defense minister or interior minister deems it necessary.

Stressing that the legal process was not followed during the recommendation, the prime minister said the public is expected to make judgment in accordance with various procedures.

Han said there would be no point in discussing the legality of countersigning as he had not been briefed on anything in advance.

He added that all Cabinet members were concerned about martial law and opposed the move.