People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok apologized over former President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law and impeachment. He also said he would pursue broad political alliances to win the local elections.
At a press conference at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 7th, Jang said, "The Dec. 3, 2024, martial law was the wrong means that did not fit the situation," adding, "It caused great confusion and inconvenience to the public and inflicted deep wounds on party members who have upheld the liberal democratic constitutional order."
Jang said, "As the ruling party that was one pillar of state affairs, we bear great responsibility for failing to fulfill our role," adding, "We deeply feel the weight of that responsibility and offer our sincere apology to the people." On Dec. 3 last year, Jang raised the issue of responsibility by the Democratic Party of Korea instead of apologizing for martial law. About a month later, he formally apologized, effectively changing his stance.
Jang said, "We will cross the river of martial law and impeachment and move toward the future," and released reform plans. The reform plans Jang released rest on three pillars: youth, experts, and alliances.
Jang pledged to transform the party into a youth-centered party by introducing a mandatory youth nomination system in the local elections and expanding the "straight talk committee," composed of people in their 20s and 30s, into a standing body of the party. He went on to say the Yeouido Institute would be reborn as a hub for expert networks and that the party would transform into a policy-focused party by holding a weekly Wednesday livelihood economy review meeting.
He particularly emphasized political alliances for victory in the local elections. Jang said, "To win, we will pursue broad political alliances," adding, "If there is agreement with the values of liberal democracy and a shared commitment to stopping the dictatorship of the Lee Jae-myung administration, we will open our hearts and join forces with anyone." The remark is seen as leaving open the possibility of alliances with former leader Han Dong-hoon, former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min, Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok, and others.
Jang also said the party would permanently strip nomination eligibility from individuals with records of corruption, including bribery, in the local elections, and that the central party would directly manage nominations for basic government heads above a certain size. He said primaries would be the principle, but the rate of reflecting party members' views would be adjusted by region and race, and he would also review selecting candidates for strategic districts through open auditions.
Jang said, "We will redefine the party's values and direction and seek to revise the party name by asking the will of all party members," adding, "Please watch the new changes and reforms that the People Power Party will usher in."