People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok expressed that the first-trial ruling for former President Yoon Suk-yeol was "regrettable and devastating." On calls inside and outside the party to cut ties with the former president, Jang raised his voice, saying, "It is the forces that try to split the party by putting a break with the president out front that we must resolutely sever ties with."
On the morning of the 20th, Jang held a news conference at the National Assembly and announced his position on the first-trial verdict on the charge of being the ringleader of insurrection against the former president.
Jang said, "The People Power Party has consistently made clear the position that martial law is not itself insurrection," adding, "We have also consistently pointed out that the CIO's investigation into the crime of insurrection was unlawful, yet the first-trial ruling failed to present sufficient grounds and explanations to overturn these arguments." Jang also said, "This is still a first-trial ruling. The presumption of innocence must apply to everyone without exception."
He continued, "The former president has already faced constitutional and political judgment over martial law through impeachment, and is now facing judicial judgment as well," adding, "The People Power Party also faced political judgment from the public in the last presidential election."
On "cutting ties with Yoon (a complete break with former President Yoon Suk-yeol)," Jang said, "We have already issued apologies and positions on severing ties multiple times, and we are continuing efforts for the resulting change and reform," adding, "Nevertheless, repeating calls for apology and a break only sows the seeds of division." Jang said, "Those who use the president's name for their own benefit, and those who push a break with the president to split the party, are the very forces we must resolutely cut ties with."
He also continued his attacks on President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party of Korea. Jang said, "The Democratic Party's acts, cloaked in the shell of the Constitution, paralyzed the executive branch, and in that they neutralize the activities of state institutions through force, they are not much different from insurrection," adding, "They broke the balance of power designed by the Constitution and replaced it with legislative dictatorship."
Jang said, "President Lee ignored the will of the majority of the people with the power of his office and halted five trials on the grounds of the non-prosecution privilege under Article 84 of the Constitution," and criticized, "The Democratic Party, saying it will protect President Lee, not only rammed through various bulletproof bad laws but even formed a group of more than 80 sitting lawmakers."
He also emphasized solidarity with forces outside the institutional sphere to broaden outreach. He appeared to be referring to street conservatives such as Yoon Again. Referring to them as "patriotic citizens," Jang said, "If you truly seek to protect the Republic of Korea, do not try to grab the arms and legs of the People Power Party and pull in different directions, but gather under the People Power Party flag and join forces. Only by winning elections can we protect what we seek to protect."