Jang Donghyuk’s ‘Youth Party’ Vision: “Bringing in Jayu University?” “Far-Right Nominations Ahead”

Jang Donghyuk Apologizes for Martial Law, Declares "Youth-Centered Party"
Kim Jonghyuk: "Bringing in Jayu University for 'Yoon Again'"
Jo Gapje: "Just for Show"... Oh Sehoon: "Welcomed"

As Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, officially apologized for the December 3 emergency martial law and announced a party reform plan, former People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyuk dismissed the move, saying, “Following Goh Sung-guk, now they are bringing in Jayu University to do ‘Yoon Geoni (Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon Hee) Again.’” Kim made these remarks in a post on his social media account on the 7th. He also criticized Minwoo Yoon, a professor at Gachon University who was recently appointed as the new Ethics Committee Chair of the People Power Party, stating, “Minwoo Yoon was an advisor to the Defense Security Command, and his wife was hired by the command the day before martial law was declared but then resigned. What exactly were this couple planning to do at the Defense Security Command during martial law?”

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is apologizing for the December 3 emergency martial law during an urgent press conference held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Earlier that morning, Jang held a press conference and stated, “The emergency martial law was an inappropriate and wrongful measure, and I deeply apologize to the people.” As part of the party’s reform plan, he mentioned making the party “youth-centered” and pledged to introduce a “mandatory youth nomination system” for the upcoming local elections in June. He also announced plans to expand the “Straight Talk Committee,” composed of members in their 20s and 30s, into a permanent party body, with the party leader attending regular meetings in person.

The “Jayu University” mentioned by Kim is a group formed in January 2025, after the December 3 emergency martial law, consisting mainly of university students who supported former President Yoon Suk Yeol, defended the declaration of martial law, and opposed impeachment. Kim raised suspicions that the “youth” Jang referred to might be these individuals. He also pointed out that Ethics Committee Chair Yoon will have to decide on disciplinary action regarding the so-called “party member bulletin board incident” involving the family of former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, and highlighted that both Yoon and his wife were affiliated with the Defense Security Command, which played a key role during the December 3 emergency martial law.

Regarding Jang’s apology, Jo Gapje, a prominent conservative commentator and CEO of JoGapje.com, said, “The apology for martial law is just for show, and the claim to seek responsibility within the party seems aimed at creating a new theory that Yoon Suk Yeol had no choice but to declare martial law because of Han Donghoon. Right now, the People Power Party’s path to survival is to expand to the center, but they are packaging far-right policies as reform. It appears to be an attempt to cover up negative public opinion resulting from the formation of the Ethics Committee.”

Jo further commented, “If the People Power Party tries to nominate a large number of far-right candidates in their 20s and 30s, people resembling far-right party members will be selected, and due to weak competitiveness in the general election, many will lose. But for the Jang Donghyuk faction, the goal is not winning elections but maintaining control of the party. The intention to change the party’s name is to solidify its far-right identity.” He added, “Any reform or apology for martial law without a promise to exclude the ‘Yoon Again’ faction and election conspiracy theorists from party positions and nominations is a deception. The judgment on Jang Donghyuk’s far-right response to calls for centrism is up to the voters.”

Park Soo-hyun, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, commented, “I am skeptical that the public will accept this belated apology as sincere,” and questioned the appointment of Yoon as Ethics Committee Chair, asking, “What consistency is there between such actions and issuing a belated apology for emergency martial law?”

In contrast, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon welcomed the move, stating, “The party leader has declared a decisive break from the wrongful past and a commitment to change in line with public expectations. I believe the public will agree with this decision, which sincerely reflects the urgent voices of the people and supporters.”