People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers adopted a party-wide resolution apologizing for the December 3 martial law incident and declaring political severance from former President Yoon Suk-yeol following an intense general assembly meeting.
The move came after Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's brinkmanship of withholding his nomination application amid rapidly deteriorating public sentiment ahead of the June 3 local elections and growing internal demands for a policy shift.
The PPP held a general assembly on the 9th and issued a resolution in the name of all party lawmakers.
"We sincerely apologize once again to the people for causing great confusion and disappointment with the wrongful declaration of martial law on December 3," the resolution stated. "We clearly oppose any and all calls for former President Yoon Suk-yeol's political return."
The resolution continued: "Neither the Republic of Korea nor the People Power Party can ever return to the past. The PPP will march resolutely forward with the people, embracing a spirit of rebirth."
The assembly was convened amid fears that the current party line could lead to a repeat of the 2018 local elections, when the party suffered a crushing defeat to the Democratic Party of Korea.
The atmosphere shifted following Floor Leader Song Eon-seok's remarks. "I stand here today thinking this could be my last statement," Song said. "We must clearly reiterate the party's apology and reflection on the December 3 martial law and clarify our position."
Rep. Kwon Young-jin said: "Every lawmaker says we cannot campaign like this. Candidates say they cannot even go outside wearing campaign gear with the party logo."
The decisive catalyst was Mayor Oh's move. Oh refused to file for the metropolitan head nomination, which closed the previous day, in protest against the leadership's reluctance to change course.
With the party-wide public apology now issued, speculation has emerged that Oh may file an additional nomination application. A PPP official explained: "If candidate competitiveness is deemed insufficient after nomination interviews, additional applications can be accepted through a vote."
After the resolution was released, Oh commented: "I am relieved and grateful for the normalization of the party line. A foundation has been laid for candidates in the metropolitan area to now engage in the election."
Oh's decision not to apply created an unprecedented situation where no incumbent metropolitan heads or lawmakers filed for nomination in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province—a first in local election history. Since the first local elections in 1995, at least several incumbent heads had always applied.
Having resolved internal conflicts, the PPP plans to intensify its offensive against what it calls the "Lee Jae-myung regime."
"Going forward, we will stand with all citizens who agree on defending liberal democracy, preventing judicial destruction, and respecting constitutional values against the anti-constitutional rampage of the Lee Jae-myung regime," the lawmakers stated in the resolution.
