People Power Party Considers Apology and Reform Merger Before Elections

With the June 3 local elections approaching next year, the "conservative unification theory" promoting a merger or partnership bet...

With the June 3 local elections approaching next year, the "conservative unification theory" promoting a merger or partnership between the People Power Party and the Reform Party is gaining traction among the opposition. There are also growing calls within the People Power Party for the leadership to make a public apology on the first anniversary of the December 3 martial law, which is set to occur next month. Concerns from People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok are also increasing.

Lawmakers Kwon Young-jin, Lee Sung-kwon, Eom Tae-young, and Cho Eun-hee, who are members of the People Power Party's re-election team, met with party leader Jang Dong-hyeok for about 44 minutes on the afternoon of the 20th. The lawmakers, part of a research group called "Alternatives and Responsibility," had requested the meeting with Representative Jang the day before. They reportedly said to Representative Jang, "As the first anniversary of the martial law draws near, it is important for the People Power Party to show a stance of reflection and self-criticism on that day."

Following the meeting, Representative Kwon said to journalists, "We expressed our hope for messages and a new image aimed at broadening the party's influence on December 3, which is the 100th day of Representative Jang's term." It has been reported that talks regarding cutting ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol also occurred during the meeting.

Representative Jang reportedly mentioned during the meeting, "I am thinking about broadening the party's influence, especially among moderates, more than anyone else. Strategically, we will first strengthen the party's current support base and then gradually increase it." Representative Kwon shared, "Representative Jang said he would consider the various suggestions we presented and come up with solutions." A close advisor of Representative Jang noted, "It's too soon to tell, but we are exploring all potential approaches to secure victory in next year's local elections, including a partnership with the Reform Party."

Therefore, voices inside the People Power Party are becoming more prominent, urging the party to adopt a stance of reflection and apology on the first anniversary of the December 3 martial law. Lawmaker Kim Yong-tae, who previously chaired the emergency response committee, appeared on YouTube on the 19th and stated, "Without clear reflection on the martial law, the impact and influence of our message will be weakened, even if we continue efforts against the ruling party, such as dropping appeals."

Other conversations occurred during a lunch meeting between Representative Jang and veteran legislators, who have served four or more terms, on the same day. A senior legislator noted during the discussion, "There should be an analysis of the simultaneous drop in President Lee Jae-myung's approval rating and the People Power Party's approval rating, even with negative political circumstances like the Daejang-dong appeal withdrawal incident."

Representative Jang is reportedly considering methods to retain the support of the opposition's staunch followers while also addressing demands within his own party. Nevertheless, it is reported that Representative Jang fears that offering an apology for the December 3rd martial law might inadvertently support the "insurrection party" narrative promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea. In a situation where a president from the People Power Party imposed martial law and was later removed from office, former emergency response committee chairs Kwon Young-se and Kim Yong-tae have already issued multiple apologies.

There have also been previous proposals to alter the party's name. Lawmaker Eom Tae-young recently shared a message in a Telegram group chat with lawmakers from the People Power Party, stating, "A decision regarding changing the party's name and re-founding the party is essential." Lawmaker Eom wrote, "If we do not decisively move away from the past, remove the old elements, and begin anew, we will all end up like frogs in a pot, eventually finding ourselves in a hot spring of failure," and added, "With six months remaining until the elections, we must not miss the opportunity to gain momentum."

Individuals within the larger opposition group think that if these actions are carried out, the chances of uniting with the Reform Party will rise. The Reform Party holds the view that before merging or establishing an alliance with the People Power Party, the latter must define its position regarding the martial law incident.

Previous Chairman of the People Power Party's Gwangju Dong·Nam-gu District Committee, Park Eun-sik, expressed on Facebook late on the 19th, "A union between the People Power Party and the Reform Party is essential." He mentioned, "Conservative right-wing parties need to become more powerful to counter the reckless momentum of Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party," and continued, "The factor that brought conservatism back as a 'victorious party' following losses in the 2017 presidential election, 2018 local elections, and 2020 general election was the adaptability of the conservative right, which included Lee Jun-seok's youth support base, Ahn Cheol-soo's moderate faction, and prosecutors Yoon Suk-yeol and Han Dong-hoon, who had previously weakened the conservative side during the Moon Jae-in administration."