"Let's Do Something"... First- and Second-Term People Power Party Lawmakers Push for Martial Law Apology as Leadership Remains Silent

[Financial News] As the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law approaches, calls are growing within the People Power Party for an official message of apology and reflection. With some lawmakers moving to issue individual apologies, the party leadership, which has yet to take a clear stance, is facing mounting pressure.

On the 27th, Kim Jae-seop appeared on CBS Kim Hyun-jung's News Show and said, "It would be best if the leadership issued a message of apology and self-reflection. If that's not possible, I believe it's necessary for lawmakers to speak out individually."
When asked whether first- and second-term lawmakers were preparing a statement of apology ahead of the first anniversary of Martial Law, he replied, "As far as I know, quite a few lawmakers feel that we need to do something."
He also explained the expected number of lawmakers who would participate in the statement.
Kim Jae-seop stated, "I think the number could exceed ten. I will definitely participate, and I believe Yongtae Kim will as well. My hope is that at least around twenty lawmakers, which is the size of a parliamentary negotiation group, will join."
He emphasized, "The vast majority of lawmakers feel a serious sense of crisis and concern. Regardless of whether their names appear on the statement, there is a strong consensus among lawmakers that an apology and reflection are necessary."
Asked whether the statement would include a message about severing ties with the former president, he replied, "That's only natural."
Kim Jae-seop further noted, "In 2020, repeated apologies were made for President Lee Myung-bak, elected in 2007, and President Park Geun-hye, elected in 2012, and the public responded positively. Moreover, when I was Emergency Measures Committee Chairman, Kim Chong-in, then chairman, went to the Gwangju Democratization Movement cemetery and knelt in apology for an incident that happened forty years ago."
He added, "It hasn't even been a year since Martial Law and the impeachment. Whether an apology is sufficient should be considered from the perspective of those receiving it, not those giving it."

Yongtae Kim, also of the People Power Party, said on SBS Radio, "Even if the arrest warrant for former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho is dismissed, the leadership must still issue a message of reflection regarding Martial Law on December 3."
He also suggested what the leadership's message should be.
Yongtae Kim stated, "There must be reflection and commitment regarding overall faults, and the party should reassess its position on the December 3 Martial Law. Lawmakers are waiting for the leadership's stance, and if none is given, I expect various opinions will come together and be made public."
Alongside his radio appearance, Yongtae Kim also posted on his Social Networking Service (SNS) account, "On the first anniversary of Martial Law, the party must gather its collective will and issue a public apology. Although I apologized to the public during my time as Emergency Measures Committee Chairman, many people still question the People Power Party's position on the Martial Law issue," he explained.
Yongtae Kim added, "If we do not acknowledge the public's doubts and distrust, we cannot explain why people are not supporting the People Power Party, especially as the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) continues to dominate legislation and attempts to control the judiciary. Let's not delay reform by blaming internal divisions."
Despite these moves by People Power Party lawmakers, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk has been touring the provinces since the 22nd, focusing on criticizing the Lee Jae-myung administration and the ruling party instead of issuing an apology. Regarding calls for an apology on the anniversary, he stated, "I don't think it's the right time to comment," and has not offered any further position.
y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter