Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, enters the National Assembly on February 20 to announce his position on the first-instance life imprisonment sentence for former President Yoon Suk-yeol. 2026.2.20 [Photo=Yonhap News]

Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 20th regarding former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was indicted on charges of leading a rebellion and sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial, that "this first-instance ruling failed to provide sufficient grounds and explanations to overturn the existing issues raised."

His remarks came amid ongoing debates in the political sphere about the persuasiveness and legitimacy of the ruling, which followed the sentencing the previous day.

At a press conference held at the main building of the National Assembly on the same day, Jang drew a line regarding calls from some within the party to "sever ties with former President Yoon," stating, "The People Power Party has already announced its position on apologies and severing ties multiple times, and we are continuing our efforts for change and innovation accordingly."

He continued, "It is regrettable and appalling," adding, "This is merely a first-instance ruling. The principle of presumption of innocence must apply to everyone without exception."

Jang also reaffirmed the People Power Party's existing stance.

He stated, "The People Power Party has consistently made it clear that martial law is not necessarily a rebellion," and "We have also consistently pointed out that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials' investigation into rebellion charges is illegal."

He added, "This is not just our party's position but also the argument of many constitutional scholars and legal experts."

Furthermore, he made remarks to the effect that political responsibility and judicial judgment should be distinguished.

Jang said, "Former President Yoon has already undergone constitutional and political judgment regarding martial law through impeachment, and is currently undergoing judicial judgment," and "The People Power Party also received political evaluation from the public in the last presidential election."

Jang also continued to criticize President Lee Jae-myung.

He argued, "President Lee Jae-myung, through the power of his position, ignored the will of the majority of the public and has used his immunity from prosecution to halt all five trials," adding, "There are concerns that the suspension of judicial proceedings based on the status of a particular power holder conflicts with the principle of the rule of law."

He emphasized, "The courts must immediately resume trials in accordance with the law and principles, regardless of political circumstances."

He also stressed, "The ruling party's push for the judicial and legislative structures, leveraging its majority in seats, is difficult to avoid criticism as effectively legislative dictatorship," and "The structure where political responsibility is judged by elections and judicial responsibility is judged by trials must not be broken."

He added, "Political responsibility judged by elections and judicial responsibility judged by trials is the fundamental structure of democracy," and "A judicial system that is without exception for anyone must be maintained."