Seoul: People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo on Monday issued an apology for the public suffering caused by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's attempted imposition of martial law on December 3. This apology comes as Kim officially launched his campaign for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for June 3.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this statement marks Kim's first public comment on the crisis, which led to the removal of Yoon, a member of the same party, from office. Kim solidified his presidential candidacy for the conservative party following internal disputes about a potential candidacy merger with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
In an interview with cable TV channel Channel A, Kim expressed his regret, stating, "I sincerely apologize to the people who have suffered from the martial law imposition. The public has had a difficult time since the martial law attempt. The economy and domestic politics are in difficulty, and so are exports and diplomacy."
Kim further made it clear that he would not have supported the imposition of martial law, emphasizing that democracy relies on dialogue, compromise, and patience rather than military intervention. His stance on the failed martial law has become a focal point as the election approaches.
During a campaign rally in Daegu, Kim mentioned that he plans to discuss with his campaign team the manner and extent of his apology for the incident. He also highlighted that Yoon faced significant challenges in advancing his policy agenda due to the Democratic Party (DP)'s majority in parliament.
With the PPP nomination secured, Kim will compete against DP candidate Lee Jae-myung, who currently leads in the polls. After visiting Garak Market to meet with vendors, Kim emphasized his commitment to economic and livelihood issues, aspiring to make South Korea a better place to live.
Addressing the internal party discord regarding a unified candidacy with Han, Kim remarked that the conflict ultimately strengthened the conservative party's unity. He expressed optimism about closing the gap with the DP's Lee, describing the race as "very dynamic."
According to a Realmeter poll released Sunday, Lee received 52.1 percent support compared to Kim's 31.1 percent in a hypothetical three-way race also involving Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party.
With the election imminent, Kim outlined key campaign promises focusing on reducing business regulations and corporate taxes to create a business-friendly environment. He proposed an early summit with U.S. President Donald Trump to negotiate a trade deal aimed at easing tariffs.
Kim also announced plans to support the artificial intelligence sector, aiming to train 200,000 young professionals and establish a private-public fund worth 100 trillion won (U$71.2 billion) by attracting foreign investment. On security, he pledged to develop nuclear-powered submarines to counter North Korean threats and pursue unification to alleviate the suffering of North Korean citizens.
"Progressivism should bring prosperity, not poverty. I want to tear apart fake progressivism," Kim asserted. Later in the day, he was scheduled to visit a national cemetery in Daejeon to honor veterans who defended South Korea against North Korean provocations.