Jo Haejin Urges Party Leadership to Apologize and Take Decisive Action ... "A Clear Break from Yoon Administration's Wrongdoings Needed"

"The People Power Party must apologize to the public and party members for failing to prevent martial law and for handing over the government."

Jo Haejin, head of the People Power Party's Gimhae City Eul district in Gyeongnam and a former three-term lawmaker, held a press conference in the briefing room of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council on December 23 and made these remarks.

Jo pointed out, "Even if former President Yoon Suk Yeol did some things well, it is unacceptable to praise him for unconstitutional and illegal martial law."

He continued, "While we may sympathize with former President Yoon, claiming that he was right and that we should bring him back is out of the question."

He also emphasized, "We must take collective responsibility for the mistakes of the Yoon administration and make a clear break from past wrongdoings to ensure such errors are never repeated."

Jo Haejin, the head of the People Power Party's Gimhae City Eul District Committee in Gyeongnam, is holding a press conference at the Gyeongnam Provincial Council briefing room. Photo by Lee Seryung

Jo stated that the party leadership must make a decisive move to secure victory in next year's local elections.

He analyzed, "Next year's local elections are the final line of defense to protect the people's free and independent lives from dictatorial power and totalitarianism. If the Lee Jaemyung administration gains control over local governments, it will drive a wedge of systemic destruction into every aspect of the people's lives."

He added, "The public wants the People Power Party to break from the mistakes of the previous administration and to unite and integrate in order to check the current government. No justification can take precedence over the opposition's fundamental duty to criticize and keep the government in check."

He also said, "Only if the People Power Party earns the public's trust and gains strength can it ensure the government stays on the right path. If trust and support shift toward the government and the ruling party, both the party and the country will face difficulties."

Jo further stated, "The party leadership must take collective responsibility for the mistakes of the previous administration and make a decisive break, while the former leadership should acknowledge and apologize for its responsibility regarding the past martial law and the general election defeat. Although there are differences in opinions and policy lines, there should be no disagreement that we must unite to restore the opposition's role of criticizing and checking the government as our common goal."

He also urged, "We must show the public and party members that we can join hands for the greater good, overcoming minor differences. The party and its leadership must take immediate action to unite the broader opposition and the liberal democratic camp under the banner of holding the government accountable, and to rally the hearts of the people who are concerned for the nation."