Choi Hyungdoo Issues Public Apology in Relay: "Did Not Fulfill Lawmaker Role Despite Martial Law Misjudgment"

"I Will No Longer Hide Behind the Party Line"

Choi Hyungdoo, a member of the People Power Party, issued an apology regarding the 12·3 Martial Law Incident, stating, "While the president was making the grave misjudgment and error of deciding on martial law, I did nothing as a ruling party lawmaker."

On this day, Choi delivered a public apology in front of the main building of the National Assembly, declaring, "I will no longer hide behind the party line. I will not simply go along with the prevailing trend."

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He added, "As a member of the 22nd National Assembly, I will fulfill all my responsibilities and duties to correct the wrong practices of party politics, the party leader system, the electoral system, and even the power structure of the Constitution."

Choi, who is serving his second term, reflected, "For the past five years, I neglected the heavy duties and responsibilities of a lawmaker, using my status as a first-term member and not holding a key position as excuses. I hid behind the so-called party line and found comfort in the decisions of the party leadership."

Regarding former President Yoon Sukyeol's 12·3 Martial Law Incident, he reiterated his apology, saying, "While the president was making the grave misjudgment and error of deciding on martial law, I did nothing as a ruling party lawmaker."

He continued, "I lacked the courage to fulfill the duties and obligations entrusted to me as a lawmaker, and to look beyond just my supporters to the entire nation."

Choi, who announced his intention to resign from the Emergency Response Committee the previous day, stated, "As a member of the Emergency Response Committee, I should have shouldered even greater responsibilities, but instead, I was swept along by current issues without achieving party reform or political renewal. Ultimately, I fell into a serious error that destroyed procedural justice in the crucial task of unification."

Prior to Choi, Park Sumin, also a member of the People Power Party, issued a public letter of reflection the previous day regarding former President Yoon's martial law and impeachment.