Kim Moonsoo Apologizes for Yoon's Martial Law... Says Party Departure Is Yoon's Decision

"Martial law is not appropriate
unless there is a national crisis"
"Legislative shield for Lee Jaemyung
has gone too far and will become a misdeed"
On Jang Yechang's reinstatement:
"A melting pot, I will embrace everyone"

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, said on the 15th regarding former President Yoon Sukyeol's declaration of martial law, "I sincerely and respectfully offer my apologies."

However, regarding the issue of former President Yoon Sukyeol leaving the party, Kim maintained his previous position, saying, "It is a matter for former President Yoon to decide."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is holding an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on the 15th. 2025.5.15 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

After the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th, Kim held an emergency press conference and stated, "Even if the president’s emergency powers are guaranteed by the Constitution, it is not appropriate to invoke martial law unless there is a national crisis that cannot be overcome by police power alone."

Kim said, "If I had known in advance, I would have told former President Yoon in detail that martial law should not be declared," adding, "My position on martial law has always been firm, and even if I become president, I would not easily exercise the power to declare martial law."

Regarding recent calls both inside and outside the party for former President Yoon to leave the party, Kim said, "It is not appropriate for me to tell him to leave or not to leave the party."

Regarding the People Power Party's decision on this day to approve the reinstatement of former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Kyunghwan and former Supreme Council member Jang Yechang, Kim stated, "I will embrace everyone who, unintentionally, is outside the party," and added, "Like a melting pot, I will embrace anyone and nurture outstanding talent for the happiness of the people."

Former Supreme Council member Jang was disqualified from candidacy last year ahead of the 4·10 general election due to controversy over inappropriate remarks. He then left the party, ran as an independent in Suyeong District, Busan, pledging to return to the party if he won, but was defeated. Choi, a key figure in the pro-Park (pro-Park Geunhye) faction, also ran as an independent in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, in last year's general election but was unsuccessful.

Kim also targeted Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, stating, "The Democratic Party's legislative shield to erase Lee Jaemyung's crimes has gone too far."

Kim said, "The Democratic Party is pushing through five self-exemption evil laws for one candidate, Lee," and declared, "I will fight to the end to stop the Lee Jaemyung legislative dictatorship."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, is speaking at an emergency press conference held at the National Assembly on the 15th. 2025.5.15 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He continued, "Last week, the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee unilaterally passed an amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act to suspend Lee's trial, and yesterday, it again unilaterally passed an amendment to the Public Official Election Act in the same committee to erase Lee's crimes altogether."

He further explained, "They have also referred to the committee a revision to the Constitutional Court Act that would allow Lee to have another trial at the Constitutional Court even after a final guilty verdict by the Supreme Court, as well as a special prosecutor bill targeting Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae and an amendment to the Court Organization Act, all intended to intimidate the judiciary."

Kim stated, "If Lee becomes president, it is clear that he will immediately promulgate the five self-exemption evil laws to erase his own crimes," and emphasized, "Liberal democracy is based on the separation of powers, which is the inviolable basic spirit of our Constitution."

Kim said, "The heinous criminal acts currently taking place in the National Assembly in 2025 will go down in the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea as unforgivable misdeeds," adding, "There is nothing like this in world history. The judiciary is not a subordinate to any particular political power."

Kim added, "The independence and neutrality of the judiciary cannot be infringed upon by any power," and "A political party that oppresses the judiciary is not qualified to speak of democracy."

Meanwhile, regarding the People Power Party Central Election Countermeasures Committee's appointment and subsequent cancellation of former Defense Minister Chung Hoyong, who played a key role in the suppression of the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, as a senior advisor, Kim said, "I was continuing my local schedule and (the recruitment) was not discussed with me in advance," adding, "There may have been a work-related mistake."