Lawmakers belonging to Alternative and Future, a group of junior members of the People Power Party, said on the 19th regarding former President Yoon Suk-yeol's first-trial sentencing, "As members of a conservative party that places the value of the rule of law first, we respect and humbly accept the judiciary's ruling."
Alternative and Future held a press conference at the National Assembly this afternoon and stated accordingly, "We engage in soul-searching and reflection, with deep remorse that we failed to properly defend the liberal democratic constitutional order during the illegal emergency martial law and the presidential impeachment process, and that we failed to live up to the trust and responsibility the people gave us. We once again bow our heads and apologize to the public."
They urged, "Now the People Power Party must, through searing introspection and reflection, cross the 'river of impeachment' and move toward a future of unity and innovation," adding, "We call on the leadership, including Representative Jang Dong-hyeok. Sever ties immediately with the 'Yoon again' faction that is trapped by the specter of the past."
They added, "We must no longer deceive the public with an ambiguous stance," and said, "In the face of the judiciary's grave judgment that emergency martial law is treason, the misguided companionship with the far-right forces that still defend it and chant 'Yoon again' and 'rigged election' will only bring mutual destruction to conservatives."
They continued, "Exert new leadership of unity, not division. Under the party leader's authority specified in Article 30 of the Ethics Committee regulations, please revoke the disciplinary action against lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin," adding, "This is the last chance that history and the people have given us."
Alternative and Future said, "If even this opportunity is spurned, the People Power Party will face an irreparable judgment from the people as a responsible political party," adding, "We, Alternative and Future, will fight to the end on the side of the people and history for a full-scale reorganization and renewal of the party."
Several lawmakers who are keeping their distance from the leadership of Jang Dong-hyeok also began stressing a complete break with the former president Yoon. Lawmaker Kim Jae-seop criticized, "Within the conservative camp, there have been politicians who, parasitizing on the treason-defending forces called 'Yoon again,' damaged the values of conservatism," adding, "They are irresponsible people who survive by leaning on forces that shield treason crimes, selling the party's future to buy personal power."
Lawmaker Kim Jae-seop stressed, "The People Power Party must completely sever ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who became the main culprit of treason, and with the forces that follow him."
Lawmaker Kim Yong-tae also said, "In the face of the court's sentence of life imprisonment for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, as a member of a conservative party, I once again apologize to the people," adding, "I will devote myself to restoring the original values of Korean conservatism and the path of people-centered conservatism." Lawmaker Kim Yong-tae also emphasized a break with the former president, saying, "Party leadership captured by 'Yoon again' cannot stop the three-branch dictatorship of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
Although positions from junior lawmakers continue, a statement from Representative Jang Dong-hyeok has been delayed. The People Power Party leadership is coordinating whether to issue a statement late this afternoon in the name of Floor Leader Song Eon-seog. However, Jang Dong-hyeok's statement is said to be likely to be released on the morning of the 20th.