PPP floor leader apologizes after ex-President Yoon receives life sentence in insurrection trial

▲ Rep. Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, heads to his office at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

▲ Rep. Jung Chung-rae, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, expresses regret over a court ruling that sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison over his failed 2024 martial law bid during a party meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)

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PPP floor leader apologizes after ex-President Yoon receives life sentence in insurrection trial

SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Yonhap) -- The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday apologized after former President Yoon Suk Yeol received a life sentence for his failed 2024 martial law bid, saying the party will distance itself from any forces that undermine the constitutional order.

"We feel a deep sense of responsibility for the guilty ruling against the former president, who once belonged to our party, and extend our apologies to party members and the public," Rep. Song Eon-seok wrote on Facebook after the Seoul Central District Court convicted Yoon of leading an insurrection through the martial law bid on Dec. 3, 2024.

Song said he hopes the ruling will serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the principle of the rule of law that "everyone is equal before the law and no one stands above it."

"The PPP will deeply reflect on the historical and political significance of this ruling and draw a firm line against any forces or actions -- past, present or future -- that threaten or undermine the constitutional order," Song said.

"We will serve the public with greater humility to restore trust and fulfill our duty to safeguard the nation's constitutional order and liberal democracy," he added.

In contrast, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) expressed regret over the court's decision to sentence Yoon to life in prison, which was lower than the death penalty sought by the special prosecution team.

"The judiciary sentenced the ringleader of insurrection who undermined the nation's foundation to life imprisonment, not the death penalty, which falls far short of the public's sense of justice," DP leader Jung Chung-rae said at a party meeting at the National Assembly.

In a Facebook post, Jung said the party will soon pass bills aimed at preventing pardons for those convicted of insurrection.

An amendment to the Pardon Act aimed at prohibiting or restricting pardons for those convicted of insurrection has been tabled before a subcommittee of the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee, with a meeting scheduled for Friday.

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