Jin Jong Oh: "People Power Party Shamelessly Begged for Votes While Condoning Martial Law"

As Presidential Defeat Became Certain, Posted on Social Media
"People Power Party Branded Han Dong Hoon as Immoral"

In the June 3 presidential election, Lee Jae Myung of the Democratic Party was elected president, and members of the People Power Party are now analyzing the reasons for their defeat. On June 3, Jin Jong Oh, a People Power Party lawmaker, pointed out a major cause of the election loss, stating, "They shamelessly begged for votes while condoning martial law." That evening, after Lee Jae Myung was announced as the 'likely winner,' Representative Jin wrote on his social media, "We failed to reform ourselves," and added, "We shamelessly begged the public for votes, shouting only about conservative values while condoning martial law."

In the June 3 presidential election, Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party candidate, was elected president, and the People Power Party is analyzing the reasons for their defeat. On the 3rd, Jin Jong Oh, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out as a major cause of the election loss that "they shamelessly begged for votes while condoning martial law." Photo by Kim Hyun Min

He continued, "Although this election, held again after three years, was due to the arrogance and decisive responsibility of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, the public clearly remembered all the wrongdoings?attempts to stigmatize those among us who opposed martial law, as well as the Democratic Party, the opposition, and any citizen who defended it." He further wrote, "A clean and fair candidate had long lost their luster on Jeon Kwang Hoon's Gwanghwamun stage, and despite opportunities for reform and reflection, by opening the way for those who supported martial law, we missed the golden time for unity and consolidation."

Jin also stated, "During the primary process, which everyone else seemed to understand except us, the sharp and fierce blades of the 'two Kwon's' path became overwhelmingly powerful against those calling for innovation," and added, "The seemingly pre-arranged process of pushing Prime Minister Han led to disappointment among party members and supporters."

Finally, he said, "The painful period that inevitably led to the passage of the December 14 impeachment motion was buried, while Han Dong Hoon, who persistently called for an orderly resignation, was branded as immoral and a traitor," and added, "Everyone else knows, but we do not. As long as these futile acts that deceive the public continue, there is no longer any politics of responsibility?not for politicians, nor for the people who care about politics."

Not only Representative Jin Jongo but also Representative Bae Hyunjin criticized on SBS election broadcast that afternoon, saying, "I believe six months is not a short time if the party clearly tries to judge according to the public's common sense and strives to find soundness. There is responsibility for negligence. It is not only former President Yoon and his wife’s responsibility, but also the party’s responsibility for not waking up to it." Photo by Yoon Dongju

Not only Representative Jin Jong Oh but also Representative Bae Hyunjin criticized the party on the SBS election broadcast that afternoon, saying, "If the party had clearly tried to judge according to the public's common sense and strived to find soundness, I do not think six months is a short time. There is responsibility for missing the opportunity. It is not only the responsibility of former President Yoon and his wife, but also the party's responsibility for failing to wake up to this."

Bae also pointed out, "Because martial law itself evokes remnants of the Yushin dictatorship for the public, once this outdated relic was brought up, we needed to use the time given to us to sincerely comfort the public, apologize, and show remorse." She added, "From December to April, the issue of the president's fate, which triggered martial law, only exhausted the public further." Furthermore, she said, "After that, there were several disgraceful moments during the candidate nomination process, caused by some factions within the party who could not sever ties with the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the president, which could only be described as farcical."