Busan Mayor Park Hyungjun: "People Power Party Should Not Hesitate to Apologize to the Public for Martial Law"

Ahead of the First Anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law, Some in the People Power Party Call for Apology
Park Hyungjun: "It Was Wrong to Hand Over Power Due to Failure to Restrain Martial Law"
Lawmakers Including Shin Dongwook and Han Jia Also Support 'Martial Law Apology'

With the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law under former President Yoon Seokyoul approaching, Park Hyungjun, the Mayor of Busan from the People Power Party, urged the party to issue a public apology. On the 23rd, Mayor Park stated, "No matter how much the opposition engages in legislative dictatorship or behaves unreasonably, it was wrong to hand over the government, which the people entrusted to us, in just three years because we failed to restrain the imposition of martial law."

Park Hyungjun, Mayor of Busan. The Asia Business Daily DB

That afternoon, at a current affairs discussion held at the Centum Campus of Dongseo University under the theme "The Path Korea Should Take," Mayor Park criticized, "The People Power Party must clearly tell the public that this was truly a grave mistake and that we are sorry."

He added, "If we are even afraid to have this conversation, then the values of conservatism will remain unclear. From Syngman Rhee to President Yoon Seokyoul, Korean conservatives have left both achievements and stains. The reason conservatism still holds hope is because it has a history of reflecting on its stains, striving not to repeat them, and pursuing innovation."

He continued, "There is no need to fear or hesitate to apologize to the public. Just because the opposition is disliked or makes grave mistakes does not mean our own faults are concealed. We must face reality again with such an attitude and standards."

He further suggested, "In that context, conservatism needs innovation. We must build the policy capabilities the public desires, resolutely criticize and fight against the misdeeds of the Lee Jaemyung administration, and at the same time, pursue coalition strategies and other tactics that can lead to victory in elections."

Former President Yoon Seokyoul attending the trial. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Previously, some lawmakers from the People Power Party had called for the party to issue a public apology regarding martial law as the first anniversary approached. On November 21, Supreme Council member Shin Dongwook said in an interview on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show" that, regarding cutting ties with former President Yoon Seokyoul, "It is generally correct to move in that direction."

On the same day, Assemblywoman Han Jia stated in an interview on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's One-Pan Show," "All 107 lawmakers and local party heads should together apologize for the martial law, apologize for the 'dawn candidate replacement,' and declare a complete break with former President Yoon Seokyoul. Only when these three steps are taken will our message to the public carry real weight." She added, "There should be no personal attachment to the President. The break must be absolute and unyielding."