SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), apologized for failing to prevent martial law a year ago, urging South Korea to focus on the future.
Speaking at a press conference in Yeouido, Seoul, Han said, "We cannot abandon hope for the future because of past mistakes."
Recalling how he rushed to the National Assembly to lift martial law shortly after disgraced former President Yoon Seok Yeol declared it, "A year ago, South Korea faced martial law but overcame it within hours," he said, crediting it to the country's democratic citizens.
Han emphasized that he opposed martial law, which was also the party's decisive action demonstrating its commitment to stand with the people.
He then criticized the ruling Democratic Party (DP), saying it paralyzed the government through a series of attempts to impeach key officials, along with unilateral decisions using its parliamentary majority, which eventually led Yoon to resort to an "absurd" gambit.
"A year later, democracy has not been fully restored," Han lamented, criticizing the current administration under President Lee Jae Myung for making things worse. "If Yoon ruined the country with martial law, Lee is doing so with everything except martial law."
Han called for breaking the chains of past mistakes to move forward, urging unity among those with differing views to protect the country's remarkable achievements from decades of democratic struggles and economic development.
When asked about criticism over the PPP's lack of apology, he said, "Apologies should continue until the public deems them sufficient."
Meanwhile, about 25 PPP lawmakers including four-term lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo also issued a public apology, vowing to sever their ties with Yoon.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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