People Power Party opposes Yoon’s political comeback, declares break with him ahead of local elections

The People Power Party has begun shifting its line in response to internal calls to completely cut ties with Yoon. The party issued another apology over the December 3 Martial Law and declared its opposition to demands for the political return of former President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok also signed the resolution, signaling a possible change from his earlier stance, when he had effectively defended Yoon after the former president was sentenced to life in prison at his first trial by invoking the "presumption of innocence."
The People Power Party convened an emergency general meeting of lawmakers at 3 p.m. on the 9th and adopted the resolution after about three hours of discussion. All 107 party lawmakers signed it. Song Eon-seok and the lawmakers who attended the meeting read the resolution near the end of the session. This came 195 days after Jang Dong-hyeok took office as party leader.
The resolution contains three main points: an apology for the declaration of December 3 Martial Law; opposition to calls for Yoon’s political comeback; and a halt to all actions and reactions that fuel internal conflict within the party. It also expresses the party’s determination to marshal its capabilities to confront the Lee Jae-myung administration and to do everything it can to win the upcoming local elections.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Song Eon-seok said, "Political forces seeking to attack or disparage our party have tried to link former President Yoon and the People Power Party, talking about alleged collusion in insurrection and the like." He continued, "We agreed that former President Yoon and our party are not connected, and that we clearly oppose any claims calling for Yoon’s political comeback." The resolution was adopted without a vote.
With the adoption of a resolution that contrasts with the line previously taken by Jang Dong-hyeok’s leadership, attention is turning to whether this will also change the situation for the People Power Party’s local election candidate pool, which has been suffering from a shortage of willing contenders. Oh Se-hoon, mayor under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, did not submit an application for the party’s nomination before the deadline on the 8th. This move is widely seen as a do-or-die tactic to pressure the leadership to shift its line by cutting ties with Yoon. Oh is considering running in the local elections if the leadership makes a clear break with the former president. After the resolution was made public, Oh said, "I am relieved and grateful that the party is moving to normalize its line," adding, "I will do my best to ensure that the resolution does not remain a mere declaration, but is implemented step by step so that we can become a party that earns the trust and support of the people."
As the People Power Party used the general meeting to signal the start of a shift in its line, attention is also focusing on whether Jang Dong-hyeok will change his stance, having previously issued messages defending Yoon and the "Yoon Again" faction. Jang is understood to have indicated that he respects the views of the lawmakers. However, because he secured control of the party leadership with the backing of pro-Yoon supporters, observers say a major decision will be needed if he is to bring about a clear change in the party’s course. As long as Jang retains the party leadership, some critics argue, this will amount to only a "halfway break with Yoon." They point out that, given Jang’s track record of pro-Yoon behavior, the public is likely to remain skeptical.
haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram and Lee Chang-hoon Reporter