Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, said on the 15th, "I sincerely and politely express my apologies regarding the December 3rd emergency martial law."
Following a broadcast interview on the 12th where he stated, "I sincerely feel sorry for the citizens suffering due to the martial law," he reiterated his apology.
On the same day, Kim noted in an emergency press conference at the National Assembly that, "Even if it is a presidential emergency power guaranteed by the Constitution, it is inappropriate to activate martial law before a national crisis occurs that cannot be overcome with police power," adding, "If I had known in advance, I would have told former President Yoon Suk-yeol about why martial law should not happen in detail."
Kim stated, "When I visit local areas, business owners in the markets say that their sales have decreased, and while there are various reasons, martial law is one of the factors they feel," adding, "Considering the struggles of those doing business, those whose lives have become difficult, those who bear heavy hearts, and the division of public opinion, I sincerely and politely express my apologies."
Regarding the issue of former President Yoon's party affiliation, he expressed the position that "it is a matter for the president to decide, and it is inappropriate for someone running as a presidential candidate to say whether to leave or stay in the party."
However, it has been reported that the former President Yoon's camp is requesting, "Please make a decision, Candidate Kim." Yoon's camp noted to Chosunilbo, "Former President Yoon is someone who desires Candidate Kim's victory in the presidential election just after Candidate Kim himself," adding, "We entrust everything, including his position, to Candidate Kim."
In the same press conference, Kim also remarked, "The Democratic Party's 'Lee Jae-myung crime deletion shielding legislation' has gone too far," stating, "If Candidate Lee becomes president, it is clear that he will enact the 'self-exemption five major evil laws' to erase his crimes."
The five major evil laws mentioned by Kim include the amendment to the Public Official Election Act, the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act for suspending criminal trials upon election as president, the special prosecution law targeting Chief Justice Cho Hee-daee for investigating judicial abuse, and the amendment to the Constitutional Court Act allowing for constitutional complaints regarding trials.
He pointed out, "Liberal democracy is based on the separation of powers, which is an absolute inviolable constitutional basic spirit," stating, "Deleting the crimes of power holders through legislation and intimidating the judiciary with legislative power constitutes a criminal act that destroys liberal democracy."