Han Donghoon: "Deeply Apologize for Failing to Prevent Martial Law... We Must Move Toward the Future, Not Backward"

Press Conference Held at Side Gate of National Assembly Library
Large Gathering of Supporters
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Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, bowed his head in apology on December 3 for failing to prevent the declaration of the December 3 Emergency Martial Law as the ruling party leader at the time. He emphasized, "We must continue to apologize until the people say it is enough," and added, "We must move forward to the future, not regress."

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the first anniversary of the December 3 Emergency Martial Law in front of the side gate of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the afternoon of December 3, Han held a press conference in front of the side gate of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul, marking the first anniversary of the Emergency Martial Law. This location is the same passage Han used to enter the National Assembly to lead the vote to lift martial law at the time. Several lawmakers close to Han and many supporters attended the press conference.

Han stated, "On this day one year ago, the Republic of Korea faced the crisis of Emergency Martial Law, but overcame it within a few hours. I respect Korea and its people for demonstrating the tremendous resilience of democracy. It was the people, who have internalized the system and life of liberal democracy through hard work and sacrifice, who stopped the martial law."

He continued, "Once again, I deeply apologize to the public for failing to prevent martial law in advance as the ruling party leader at the time," bowing his head.

Han recalled, "That night, our People Power Party managed to enter the National Assembly through that narrow gate and took the lead in lifting martial law. The message I issued immediately after seeing the martial law announcement-'The declaration of Emergency Martial Law is wrong. I will stop it together with the people'-was not a personal statement, but an official message as party leader, reflecting the hearts of supporters and colleagues."

Reflecting on the situation, Han said, "The Democratic Party's tyranny had reached its peak. Abandoning constitutional principles and relying solely on numbers, they paralyzed state affairs with twenty-two impeachment attempts, driven by a base political logic. What was truly regrettable was that a series of guilty verdicts against Lee Jaemyung, the then Democratic Party leader, were scheduled, so if we had just endured, a new phase would have opened."

He added, "In such a situation, the incomprehensible Emergency Martial Law ruined everything. Although a year has passed since that day, it is hard to say that the democracy protected by the people has been fully restored. In fact, things have gotten worse. Korean society has lost its way."

Han stated, "If former President Yoon Sukyeol ruined the country with martial law, President Lee Jaemyung is ruining the country by doing everything wrong except declaring martial law. Now is the time to move toward the future, not regress. We cannot give up hope for the future because of past mistakes. If we are to move forward, we must boldly break the chains of past wrongs."

Han added, "Only the courage to reflect will make progress possible. Many say we must fight and fight well, but what truly matters is why and for what we fight. We must fight to protect."

He continued, "If we agree on the need to protect, then even those with different views must unite and work together. Sensible citizens must come together, speak out, and take action."

Han Donghoon, former leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the first anniversary of the December 3 Emergency Martial Law in front of the side gate of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

Addressing his supporters, Han said, "It is painful that the administration we built with such difficulty collapsed so easily, but we are the main actors who achieved Korea's industrialization and democratization. We must not give up. We can rise again, and we certainly will."

In response to a question about whether the People Power Party's apology was insufficient, Han said, "I am confident that most politicians belonging to the People Power Party and the sensible citizens who support us already have a heart of apology toward the people. The standard for an apology is set by the recipient, and the people are the ones who should receive it. We must continue to apologize until the people say it is enough."

Regarding the direction the People Power Party should take, Han stated, "If we fail to regain the people's trust, the Democratic Party's tyranny will continue, and no one will be able to keep it in check. The reason the Democratic Party is acting so recklessly is because the People Power Party has become distant from the people's hearts and has not earned their trust, so our words carry no weight."

When asked if he would play a role in the local elections next June, Han replied, "I am a politician of the People Power Party, and I exist to ensure that the People Power Party is loved by the people and serves as the power of the people. I will do everything I can."

Regarding the recent investigation by the People Power Party's Party Affairs Audit Committee into the so-called 'Party Member Bulletin Board Incident,' in which Han's family was allegedly implicated, Han said, "This is a very important time to move toward the future," and reiterated, "We must go forward, not backward."