Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, chairman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), issued a formal apology Wednesday for the 2024 martial law fiasco, a move widely seen as an effort to distance the party from former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The apology came more than a year after Yoon, who entered office as the party's candidate, abruptly imposed martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 — a decision that led to his impeachment and criminal prosecution. "The emergency martial law declared on Dec. 3, 2024, was an inappropriate and misguided measure that did not fit the situation. It led to significant confusion and inconvenience to the public, and inflicted deep wounds on our party members who have upheld the constitutional order of liberal democracy," Jang said at a press conference at the National Assembly. "As the ruling party at the time and a key pillar of state governance, we failed to fulfill our responsibilities," he added. "We take that responsibility very seriously. I offer my deepest apologies to the public." The belated apology comes as the PPP continues to grapple with internal turmoil stem