People Power Party Leader Defends Martial Law, Sparks Internal Conflict in South Korea
The controversial defense of emergency martial law by People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk is fueling division within the conservative party, as internal critics denounce his stance as a return to authoritarianism.
On Thursday, Jang visited the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi-do, to meet with Representative Choo Kyung-ho, whose arrest warrant was recently dismissed. This visit occurred amidst a growing storm of criticism surrounding Jang’s unwavering support for the December 3rd martial law declaration.
Jang has repeatedly justified the martial law, stating it was a necessary response to “the rioting of the National Assembly.” He doubled down on this position on his Facebook page, writing, “The People Power Party, which was unable to unite and fight properly, is not free from its responsibility. As the representative of the People Power Party, I keenly feel the responsibility.” This statement went further than simply ignoring calls for an apology, aligning him with the justifications offered by former President Yoon Seok-yeol at the time of the martial law’s imposition. He previously argued in Daegu last month that obstruction of state affairs by the Democratic Party necessitated the measure.
The dismissal of Choo Kyung-ho’s arrest warrant was framed by Jang as a “signal,” heralding a shift in the political landscape. He proclaimed, “Now a year of darkness is passing. The thick curtain is lifting, and a new path of hope is opening,” vowing to work with the public to counter what he described as the Lee Jae-myung administration’s efforts to “dismantle the Republic of Korea.” He positioned this struggle as being rooted in the dismissal of the warrant for Choo, who faces accusations of interfering with the lifting of martial law. Jang also declared his intention to become “the fourth hitter of conservative politics,” suggesting a more aggressive and central role in the party’s future.
However, this hardline stance has been met with significant resistance from within the People Power Party. Floor leader Song Eon-seok offered a carefully worded apology during a press conference, stating, “I feel a keen sense of responsibility for not being able to prevent the outbreak of martial law, which caused a great shock to the people.” However, this apology focused on the confusion caused by the martial law, rather than the action itself.
The response from party members has been scathing. Representative Kim Jae-seop condemned Jang’s actions as “another enlightenment decree,” expressing “extreme disappointment” that the leader had not engaged in reflection or introspection. “Conservative reconstruction and enlightenment can never go together,” Kim asserted, adding that the party’s future hinges on distancing itself from Yoon Seok-yeol, whom he blamed for the party’s current struggles. Representative Park Jeong-hoon questioned whether Jang’s views accurately represent the majority of party members. One first-term lawmaker reportedly told The Hankyoreh, “I was speechless after seeing Representative Jang’s message,” adding, “It is time to move on from the past of Yoon Seok-yeol and disconnect from Jang Dong-hyuk.”
Former President Yoon also weighed in, issuing a statement through his lawyer claiming the December 3rd martial law was a “resolute fulfillment of the responsibility to protect the Constitution” in response to an attempt to “overthrow the regime” and “collapse the free constitutional order.”
As Jang Dong-hyuk continues to defend the controversial martial law and position himself as a leading figure in conservative politics, predictions of escalating internal conflict within the People Power Party are growing. The party appears increasingly fractured between those seeking to defend past actions and those advocating for a break with the policies and rhetoric of the Yoon administration.
