PPP leaders issue serial apologies over Dec. 3 martial law

Dec 04, 2025, 09:03 am

		0
Lawmakers of the People Power Party, including Lee Sung-kwon and Kim Yong-tae, bow in apology over the December 3 martial law incident during a press conference at the National Assembly’s communication center in Yeouido, Seoul, on December 3. / Source: Yonhap News

As the first anniversary of the December 3 martial law declaration arrives, apologies and expressions of remorse are spreading across the ranks of the People Power Party (PPP).

Following floor leader Song Eon-seok and a group of 25 first- and second-term lawmakers, senior figures are now issuing individual statements, creating what some describe as a “relay of martial law apologies.”

Rep. Kwon Young-se, who served as interim leader during the impeachment crisis, wrote on Facebook on the 3rd, “No matter how serious the opposition’s legislative dictatorship and runaway behavior may have been, declaring martial law was a choice that should never have been made.” He added, “As a senior member of the ruling party who failed to prevent it, I have nothing to say even if I had ten mouths. I deeply reflect on this.”

Calling it “a truly devastating day,” Kwon pledged, “I will devote myself even more to healing the wounds to our democracy and restoring constitutional values.”

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stressed a break with the past in his own Facebook message. “I will cut ties with the wrongs of the past and move toward the future, toward the people’s hearts,” he wrote. “As a senior politician of the People Power Party and as the mayor responsible for the daily lives of Seoul citizens, I accept this responsibility heavily and once again extend my apologies to all those who remember the shock and disappointment of that day.”

Four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo said citizens’ lives had been shattered. “People’s lives were completely broken after December 3 last year, yet politics, which has a duty to repair them, has been busy reproducing hatred and anger inside the Yeouido bubble,” he said. “In this respect, I was also lacking. I am sorry and I apologize. We must now return to politics that speaks about the lives of our citizens.”

Rep. Song Seok-jun, a three-term lawmaker aligned with the pro–Han Dong-hoon faction, issued a statement saying, “I sincerely apologize to the people for the December 3 martial law. It shocked the nation and caused widespread confusion.” He added, “As a member of the then-ruling party, I did not know in advance and could not prevent the declaration. I feel deep regret and remorse. Regardless of any reason or circumstance, I bow my head to the people.”

Kim Yong-tae, who served as interim leader during the last presidential election, also apologized on Facebook. “The martial law declared a year ago was the most extreme act, directly contradicting the values and attitude that conservatism should uphold,” he wrote. “Once again, I offer my deepest apologies to the people.”

First-term lawmaker Kim Dae-sik said he could hardly lift his head when thinking about the public’s fear and anger. “When I think of the emotional wounds the people suffered, and the fear and anger they felt watching our democracy tremble, it is hard to raise my head,” he said. “Today, I once again sincerely apologize to the people. On this first anniversary of martial law, I will join my senior and fellow lawmakers in launching a fundamental renewal to win back the hearts of the people.”

Rep. Jung Seok-guk likewise said, “As a People Power Party lawmaker who directly took part in the vote to lift martial law, I sincerely apologize for causing great anxiety and pain to the public.” He added that the party must decisively break with divisive narratives such as “Yoon again” and “stolen election” theories. “We need genuine reflection and reform, a clean break with the past, and a future-oriented vision,” he emphasized.

Some statements also included sharp criticism of the current government and ruling camp.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok wrote, “With a devastated heart I look back on this day one year ago. Over the past year, our politics has not improved at all. In fact, due to leaders who are destroying democracy by trying to capture the judiciary, our country is facing a new crisis, and that reality weighs heavily on me.” He argued that the cause of martial law was clear: “The root cause of emergency rule is obvious. It was the Democratic Party’s abuse of its majority to repeatedly obstruct the government — a violent act of political power.”

Yoo declared, “I firmly oppose the regressive politics of President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party,” adding, “The People Power Party must also soberly examine why the public cannot place their trust in the party, and work harder to become a party of dedication and reform that goes to the people, among the people.”

#Dec. 3 martial law apology #People Power Party