Seoul | The head of South Korea’s main opposition party, the People Power Party (PPP), expressed public regret on Wednesday over former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived attempt to impose martial law, acknowledging the confusion and public distress it caused.
At a press conference held at the PPP headquarters, Representative Jang Dong-hyeok formally apologized, stating that the December 3, 2024, declaration of martial law was “wrong and inappropriate” and had inflicted both inconvenience on citizens and pain to party members. Bowing his head, Jang emphasized the party’s commitment to accountability, saying, “We sincerely acknowledge our duty and will accept responsibility within the party. We will start anew in line with public expectations.”
The legislative move to reverse martial law saw support from 18 PPP legislators, including Jang. During his remarks, he indicated the party’s intention to work collaboratively with other opposition groups ahead of the 2026 municipal elections, stressing a shared commitment to liberal democracy and preventing authoritarian overreach.
The apology comes as former President Yoon faces criminal charges tied to the martial law attempt. Legal proceedings are ongoing, with Yoon, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, ex-Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho, and five other individuals under trial for allegedly inciting an uprising. The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to hold four sessions this week to determine the severity of the penalties, with public attention focused on potential outcomes, including the possibility of life-altering sentences.
Jang’s statement signals a clear distancing by the PPP from Yoon’s actions and underscores the party’s effort to restore credibility while reinforcing democratic norms in the wake of a highly controversial period in South Korean politics.
