Kyoungtae Cho: "All People Power Party Members Must Make a Public Apology on the National Assembly Field... Disavowal Must Be Put Into Action"

Representative Cho Holds Press Conference on March 11
Calls for Implementation of Follow-Up Measures Beyond the Resolution
Han Donghoon Should Be Reinstated with Expulsion Withdrawn
"Jeon Hankil and Ko Seongguk Must Be Expelled from the Party"

Kyungtae Cho, a member of the People Power Party, stated on March 11, "All members of the People Power Party must gather on the National Assembly field, where the martial law forces' helicopter landed during the 12·3 Martial Law, and sincerely apologize before the public." He added, "What we need is the resolve of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who was determined to fight to the death."

Representative Cho, the most senior member of the party with six terms, held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center that afternoon. He said, "Our break from the past should not just be words, but must be put into action," proposing an active public apology and follow-up measures at the party level.

Kyungtae Cho, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Commenting on the party's adoption of a public apology resolution at the general assembly on March 9, Representative Cho said, "Simply reading a single resolution cannot thaw the public's frozen hearts," and that "an apology that ends with words alone is extremely hollow." He continued, "A break and apology that are not followed by action will only deepen public distrust," emphasizing that "five follow-up measures must be implemented immediately to prove our sincerity."

The five follow-up measures proposed by Representative Cho are: ▲A sincere apology from Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party ▲An immediate withdrawal of the expulsion and reinstatement of former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon ▲Immediate expulsion from the party of far-right figures such as Jeon Hankil and Ko Seongguk ▲Immediate withdrawal of the party's official stance against impeachment ▲All party lawmakers making a public apology on the National Assembly field.

Representative Cho remarked, "When the first trial verdict for former President Yoon Suk-yeol was delivered, Leader Jang made a statement that bordered on being outrageous, saying that the real targets of a break should be those demanding it." He continued, "If the party has officially resolved to make a break, it is only common sense that the first step should be to retract the criticism directed at party members and the public who initially called for it, and to offer a genuine apology."

Regarding the demand to withdraw the expulsion of former leader Han, Cho pointed out, "If we continue to punish former leader Han, who was the first within the party to point out the unconstitutionality and illegality of the martial law, it would mean our party still admits to supporting martial law." He further stated that expelling Jeon Hankil and Ko Seongguk, who are leading figures in the pro-Yoon (Yoon Again) faction, "would be the clearest action and evidence of severing ties with former President Yoon."

On the demand for a public apology on the National Assembly field, Cho explained, "We must have a time for thorough self-reflection and seek forgiveness for our complacency in failing to prevent the trampling of democracy at the very place where the 12·3 martial law forces' helicopter landed." He expressed regret, saying, "We should have done this on December 3 last year, marking one year since the martial law."

Representative Cho urged the party leadership to take action, warning, "If you do not have the courage to carry out even the minimum follow-up measures, all responsibility for the collapse of the conservative faction and the stern judgment of the people will fall squarely on Leader Jang." He added, "We must give up our vested interests without hesitation and clearly establish the true values of conservatism," proposing, "Let us boldly remove the far-right elements and unite all rational, moderate conservatives."

Addressing Leader Jang, Cho said, "You became party leader by championing Yoon Again, but your attitude must change now that you are leader." He continued, "Our party is not a party that advocates Yoon Again, but a traditional conservative party." Emphasizing that "the most important values of a traditional conservative party are the defense of the Constitution and the rule of law," Cho concluded, "I need to speak in a stronger tone, but I will observe the situation and address it next time."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.