South Korean Opposition Leader Apologizes for Yoon’s Martial Law Move

The leader of South Korea’s opposition People Power Party, Jang Dong-hyeok, issued a public apology on January 7, 2025, for the controversial martial law declaration made by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024. His remarks come as the party seeks to distance itself from the impeached leader and implement reforms aimed at increasing its appeal ahead of local elections scheduled for June 1, 2025.

During a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Seoul, Jang described the emergency martial law declared on December 3, 2024, as a “wrongful measure that did not fit the situation.” He acknowledged the confusion and inconvenience it caused to the public, as well as the negative impact on party members who have defended the principles of liberal democracy. The martial law declaration was quickly overturned after a group of 18 lawmakers from the People Power Party rushed to the National Assembly to vote against it.

“I gravely acknowledge that responsibility and offer my deepest apology to the people,” Jang said, emphasizing the party’s “heavy responsibility” during the episode. He also noted that the party failed to fulfill its role as a governing body, which contributed to the chaos surrounding the martial law announcement.

In a bid to move past this incident, Jang introduced the “Change to Win” initiative, which aims to rebuild the party’s structure with a focus on youth engagement, data-driven policymaking, and enhanced public outreach. Key proposals within this initiative include mandatory youth nominations for upcoming local elections, the establishment of new platforms to recruit policy experts, and the formation of standing committees addressing labor, social welfare, and generational issues.

With nationwide local elections approaching in less than five months, the People Power Party is looking to re-establish itself as a credible alternative to the administration led by President Lee Jae Myung. Following Yoon’s impeachment, Lee and his Democratic Party have maintained a strong parliamentary majority, which conservatives have criticized as overreach that marginalizes opposition voices.

Jang expressed a commitment to coalition-building, stating, “If they agree with the values of liberal democracy and share the will to stop the dictatorship of the Lee Jae Myung regime, we will open our hearts and join forces with anyone.” He underscored the necessity of collaboration among opposition parties to enhance their electoral prospects.

In addition to external reforms, Jang highlighted the importance of internal changes within the People Power Party. He proposed stricter anti-corruption rules, centralized oversight for candidate nominations, and even the possibility of changing the party’s name.

Reflecting on the past political turmoil, including the martial law incident and Yoon’s impeachment, Jang emphasized that these matters should be left to the courts and historians. He urged the party to focus on restoring public trust and confidence. “We will cross the river of martial law and impeachment and move toward the future,” he concluded.

As the People Power Party embarks on this path of reform, its leadership hopes to regain the support of the electorate and present a more united front in the face of an increasingly powerful administration.