Song Eon-seok: "Reflecting on December 3 Martial Law on Behalf of 107 People Power Party Lawmakers... Sincere Apology"

Statement Marking One Year Since December 3 Martial Law
"All People Power Party Lawmakers Deeply Feel a Heavy Sense of Responsibility"
"Democratic Party Must Now Practice Restraint and Self-Reflection"

Song Eon-seok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, issued a public apology on December 3, marking the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law, stating, "All People Power Party lawmakers feel a heavy sense of responsibility for failing to prevent the imposition of martial law, which caused great shock to the public." This statement contrasted with the stance of Jang Donghyuk, the party's leader, who effectively refused to apologize for the martial law, claiming it was imposed to resist parliamentary tyranny.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Song said, "I stand here today with a solemn heart, representing the 107 People Power Party lawmakers who either participated in or were unable to participate in the vote to lift martial law on December 3 last year. I am here to reflect on the past year and to move forward into the future."

Song Eon-seok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on December 3, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He added, "On December 7 last year, all People Power Party lawmakers issued a statement sincerely apologizing to the public for the great shock and anxiety caused by the declaration of martial law, and this position has remained consistent to this day."

He especially expressed, "I offer my deepest condolences and apologies to all those affected: soldiers who were accused of participating in an insurrection simply for being mobilized under superior orders, public officials who were forced to undergo mobile phone inspections under the pretext of rooting out insurrectionists, medical professionals who were listed as targets for punishment in the martial law proclamation, and self-employed individuals who suffered significant losses due to the impeachment crisis that followed the martial law."

He also mentioned the responsibility of the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the martial law. Floor Leader Song stated, "Before the December 3 Martial Law last year, South Korean politics had fallen into extreme chaos. After the start of the 22nd National Assembly, under the leadership of Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party, as the absolute majority, unilaterally passed numerous harmful bills without bipartisan agreement and abused the impeachment process against public officials, paralyzing state affairs." He argued, "In the midst of this extreme chaos, the December 3 Martial Law was declared-something no one had anticipated."

He continued his criticism of the Lee Jaemyung administration, saying, "The Lee Jaemyung administration continues to suppress the opposition and launch accusations of insurrection. In order to cover up six months of economic mismanagement and the destruction of the rule of law, they are expanding these insurrection accusations beyond the opposition to include the church, military, police, prosecution, judiciary, and the entire public sector."

He went on to say, "Today, the Democratic Party and the Lee Jaemyung administration are treating the first anniversary of martial law as if it were a day of celebration. The ruling party must now exercise restraint and self-reflection. Respect the opposition as a partner in governance and strive to restore national unity and cooperative politics," he urged.

Regarding the dismissal of the arrest warrant for Choo Kyungho, the People Power Party floor leader at the time of martial law, he said, "It was a just and natural decision," and emphasized, "With the dismissal of the arrest warrant, the administration's suppression of the opposition and accusations of insurrection must also come to an end."

He also stressed the need to fight against the ruling party. Floor Leader Song declared, "Based on deep reflection on the past and a vision for the future, we will stand with our five million party members and the public, and though we are a minority party, we will fiercely resist the majority ruling party and administration to bring an end to these accusations of insurrection and to correct incompetent economic policies. We will be reborn as a democratic opposition party that defends liberal democracy, a principled opposition party that checks runaway power, and a policy party that presents economic visions."