People Power Party Split Over Whether to Apologize on Second Anniversary of Martial Law

With the second anniversary of the December 3 emergency martial law declaration approaching, the People Power Party remains divided internally over whether to issue a public apology, with arguments for and against clashing within the party on Monday.

Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun made clear his position that an apology is necessary during an appearance on BBS radio's 'Jung Hye-seung's Morning Journal' on Monday. Referring to party leader Jang Dong-hyuk's remarks around the first anniversary last year, which suggested that 'the Democratic Party of Korea brought on the emergency martial law,' Yoon said, "That is not an apology." He argued, "The party must of course apologize for the emergency martial law, and needs to take an approach of deep reflection on the launch of the Lee Jae-myung government and the failure of the Yoon Suk-yeol government." On the internal tug-of-war, he added, "It is truly unfortunate and frustrating to see members telling each other to do it or not to do it."

There are also voices opposing an apology. Rep. Lee Jin-sook said on CBS radio's 'Park Sung-tae's News Show' on Monday, "I have not heard a majority within the party voicing that sentiment, and I do not think we should apologize every time December 3 comes around, as if observing a holiday." Within the party leadership as well, voices opposed to an apology have reportedly been raised.

The party's official position is that no action is being taken at the party level. Meeting with reporters at the National Assembly on Monday afternoon, Senior Spokesperson Park Chung-kwon said, "I think we should consider what is truly important right now and what the priorities are," adding that regarding an apology, "nothing is being separately reviewed." As pro and con arguments clash within the party, no official review is underway.