appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Park Chan-kyong

South Korea’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) has issued a belated apology for Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law – more than a year after it sparked a constitutional crisis that toppled his government.
Yet analysts described the gesture as a tactical retreat by the ex-president’s former party, aimed at salvaging electoral fortunes rather than confronting its role in the fiasco.
Delivered on Wednesday by PPP chairman Jang Dong-hyuk, the apology laid bare the conservatives’ mounting struggle to reconcile their hardline base with disillusioned moderates ahead of local elections in June.
Jang acknowledged that Yoon’s declaration of martial law in December 2024 was “inappropriate and mistaken”, admitting that it sowed confusion among citizens. But his carefully worded statement stopped short of directly condemning Yoon or severing ties with the far-right forces that continue to exert oversized influence within the party.

The apology marks a dramatic turnaround for Jang, who last year stood shoulder to shoulder with pro-Yoon demonstrators accusing the judiciary of bias and demanding the president’s reinstatement.
Now leading a beleaguered bloc trailing far behind the ruling Democratic Party of Korea of President Lee Jae Myung, Jang has adopted a tone of contrition – if not full accountability.
“We will cross the river of martial law and impeachment and move towards the future,” he said in his televised apology, acknowledging that the PPP bore “great responsibility” and pledging that it would learn from its mistakes.
The declaration of martial law “caused great confusion and inconvenience to the people and inflicted deep wounds on party members”, Jang said.
‘Old habits die hard’
Jang’s rhetoric has done little to convince observers that his party is ready to make a genuine reset, however.
“The statement fails to clarify whether the PPP is truly cutting ties with Yoon,” said Ha Sang-bok, a political-science professor at Mokpo National University, noting that it was “wrapped in vaguely worded phrases”.
“Critics will see it as an election manoeuvre aimed at retaining moderate voters while simultaneously appealing to far-right extremists who are becoming increasingly vocal within the party.”
Senior PPP figures such as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former justice minister Han Dong-hoon have urged Jang to chart a centrist course and draw a definitive line under the Yoon era. But the new party leader, who took up the reins in August, appears wary of alienating core supporters still loyal to the disgraced ex-president.
This looks like the start of ‘Yoon Again, Season 2’
Chae Jin-won, Korean governance expert
Analysts warn that such hesitation could deepen the PPP’s credibility crisis, particularly among centrist voters who see the party as held captive by far-right reactionary forces.
Even as it reluctantly expresses remorse, the PPP continues to welcome far-right influencers and former Yoon allies into its fold – evidence, observers say, that it remains mostly motivated by ideology.
“Old habits die hard,” said Chae Jin-won, a senior researcher at Kyung Hee University’s Institute of Public Governance. “This looks like the start of ‘Yoon Again, Season 2’.”
Jang has promised a public process to rename the party, potentially its fifth rebranding since 2012, as he seeks to project renewal.
South Korea’s conservative parties have repeatedly changed names to escape the shadows of corruption and authoritarianism left by figures such as ex-presidents Chun Doo-hwan, Park Geun-hye and now Yoon himself. But few expect a new label to resolve the deeper crisis of legitimacy facing the right.
Chae warned that political parties of all stripes had to earnestly focus on young people’s frustrations – from unemployment to inequality and limited social mobility – if they wanted to court their votes.
“Instead of seriously addressing these concerns, political circles are more interested in exploiting discontent to improve their electoral prospects,” he said.

Detention extended
Meanwhile, Yoon faces mounting legal troubles. Last week, a court in Seoul issued a new arrest warrant charging the former president with ordering drone incursions into North Korea in 2024 to fabricate grounds for martial law.
The new warrant extends Yoon’s detention – originally set to expire on January 18 – by up to six months as his trials continue. He could face sentencing for allegedly leading an insurrection as early as next month.
The judiciary, dominated by judges appointed during his presidency, has attracted public criticism for its handling of the case, prompting the DPK-led National Assembly last month to create special court panels to oversee the proceedings, effective Tuesday.
“However, it remains to be seen whether the Constitutional Court will uphold the move,” Chae said. “Given concerns that it may violate the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.”
With five months to go before the local election, set for June 3, the PPP is learning that repentance is easier spoken than believed.


Ukraine’s POW transfer reveal deals North Korea a propaganda blow

What Xi Jinping’s letter to old friends in Iowa means in an altered America

China’s sulphur imports dive 65% as prices surge 3.5 times amid Middle East disruption

Chinese CEOs fly to US on own, await invites to Trump’s state dinner for Xi Jinping

South Korea

South Korea’s conservatives attempt break from Yoon with martial law apology

A supporter of South Korea’s ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol attends a rally in Seoul last month marking the first anniversary of his short-lived declaration of martial law. Photo: AFP

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party, bows during a news conference in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap/EPA

Yoon Suk-yeol (left) attends an impeachment hearing at the Constitutional Court in Seoul in February last year. Photo: Xinhua

Martial law plot was Yoon’s plan all along, South Korean prosecutors say

Yoon Suk-yeol speaks in Seoul on March 10, 2022, shortly after winning that month’s presidential election. Photo: Xinhua

South Korean self-propelled howitzers fire during a live-fire drill at an undisclosed island near the inter-Korean border in June 2024. Photo: South Korean Defence Ministry/AFP

Shaman rumours resurface as South Korea returns to Blue House

People visit the Blue House in Seoul in 2022. Photo: AP

A general view of Yoon Suk-yeol’s presidential residence in Seoul on January 14. Photo: AFP

Objects believed to be garbage-carrying balloons (circled in red) sent by North Korea are spotted flying over Yongsan on September 23, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE/Yonhap

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrives for a press conference at the Blue House in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Visitors look at painted portraits of former South Korean presidents at the Blue House in Seoul on June 9. Photo: AFP

‘Yoon again’: calls for ousted South Korean president’s return as political rift deepens

Former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with his supporters as he leaves the presidential residence on Friday, a week after the country’s top court upheld his impeachment. Photo: Kim Jung-yeop

Supporters of Yoon Suk-yeol hold “Yoon Again” signs in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday. Photo: Kim Jung-yeop

Yoon Suk-yeol with his supporters as he leaves the presidential residence on Friday to return to his private home. Photo: Kim Jung-yeop

This Week in Asia

Politics

News

Asia

East Asia

Yoon Suk-yeol’s former ruling party has offered a belated mea culpa, but critics see the move as nothing more than a cynical election ploy


Yoon Suk-yeol’s former ruling party has offered a belated mea culpa, but critics see the move as nothing more than a cynical election ploy.


South Korea’s conservatives attempt break from Yoon with martial law apology

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Yoon Suk-yeol’s former ruling party has offered a belated mea culpa, but critics see the move as nothing more than a cynical election ploy

Yoon Suk-yeol’s former ruling party has offered a belated mea culpa, but critics see the move as nothing more than a cynical election ploy