With the first anniversary of "12/3 martial law" approaching, the People Power Party is said to be agonizing repeatedly. Opinions inside the party are split over whether to apologize for the martial law.
According to the National Assembly on the 26th, the speaker's office plans to host a first-anniversary event for martial law from the 3rd to 5th of next month under the theme "That day 12/3 dark tour." Most members of the People Power Party decided not to attend the event. A People Power Party official said, "There should be no situation in which the PPP serves as a mere prop at an event that the Democratic Party is effectively leading with political intent."
Within the People Power Party, differing views are emerging on what stance to take on the first year of martial law.
Rep. Kim Yong-tae said on KBS Radio on the 25th, "Apology and reflection are only natural, and it should not end with a simple apology and reflection." By contrast, Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won said on CBS Radio on the 26th, "Repeated apologies are more likely to worsen the current situation."
There is also speculation that Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, will tailor his message on the first year of martial law depending on whether Rep. Choo Kyung-ho is taken into custody. Accused of engaging in important duties related to insurrection, Choo is expected to undergo a pretrial detention review (warrant hearing) on the 2nd of next month after a detention warrant was sought. If Choo is detained, the Democratic Party of Korea may ramp up its campaign to dissolve the PPP as an unconstitutional party.
A senior party official said, "Depending on whether the detention warrant for Rep. Choo is dismissed, the level, direction, and tone of (the leadership's) message will change," adding, "If the PPP apologizes in a situation where Choo's detention warrant is issued, it could appear to bolster the Democratic Party's argument for dissolving an unconstitutional party."
Another official said, "With the local elections in June next year ahead, it is frustrating because no political breakthrough is in sight."