People Power Party Leader Jang Donghyuk: "December 3 Martial Law Ultimately Brought Confusion and Suffering to the People... I Deeply Feel Responsible"

Apology Message Delivered at Daegu Event

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, issued a public apology to the nation as the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law approaches.

People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is speaking after paying respects at the National Sinam Seonyeol Park in Dong-gu, Daegu on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 28th, at the "National Rally for the Restoration of Livelihoods and the Defense of the Rule of Law" held in Daegu, Jang stated, "The legislative tyranny and obstruction of state affairs by the Democratic Party ultimately led to martial law. However, as a result, we caused confusion and suffering for many citizens," adding, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility for this."

He continued, "Loyal soldiers are enduring hardship in the courts, and due to the Democratic Party’s reckless campaign against so-called deep-rooted evils, public officials are being threatened with surveillance," and added, "All of this ultimately happened because our party failed to fight properly."

He went on to say, "Even as the livelihoods of the people are collapsing and the national system is being destroyed due to the Democratic Party’s tyranny, we failed to unite and stop it. Scattered as we were, we could not prevent martial law, we could not prevent impeachment, and we could not prevent the birth of the Lee Jaemyung administration," acknowledging responsibility but also claiming that the Democratic Party was the cause.

Jang emphasized, "Even as a year has passed since the (Lee Jaemyung administration’s inauguration) amid accusations of insurrection and the collapse of livelihoods, members of the People Power Party remain divided and have failed to stop the 'Lee Jaemyung dictatorship.' Now we must start again," stressing, "We must unite and fight against the Lee Jaemyung dictatorship."

He further asserted, "Raise a red card against the Lee Jaemyung administration, a regime that suppresses the freedom of the people and steals from their wallets. The person who should be expelled is Lee Jaemyung, and the party that should be dissolved is the Democratic Party."