Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate in the People Power Party's presidential primary, said on the 26th, 'If we do not acknowledge past mistakes and sincerely apologize to the public, we cannot possibly defeat Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea.' He asked his competitors about their intentions to apologize to the public regarding the Dec. 3 martial law situation and the impeachment. Candidates Hong Joon-pyo and Kim Moon-soo, who are part of the 'anti-impeachment faction,' showed a hesitant attitude.

On the 26th, candidates are posing for a commemorative photo before a debate at the People Power Party's second primary election debate held at the Mae Kyung Media Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. From left: Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, Kim Moon-soo, Hong Joon-pyo. /Courtesy of National Assembly Photo Reporting Group

During the second primary's top four debate held by MBN in Jung-gu, Seoul, Ahn asked, 'Did former President Yoon Suk-yeol have any intentions to apologize after being removed by the Constitutional Court?'

In response, Hong replied, 'I will consider it if I become the final candidate.'

Kim noted, 'The discussion surrounding the over 30 Democratic Party members who supported the impeachment, special investigations, and full budget cuts during the martial law and impeachment process needs to be thoroughly considered,' adding, 'It's not that I cannot apologize; after comprehensively understanding the causes of the impeachment, I will report back.'

Ahn shot back, 'The issue is that there is no reflection or apology while virtually supporting the presidential emergency martial law.'

A candidate who supports the impeachment said, 'Since the night of Dec. 3, when the martial law was blocked, I have repeatedly apologized,' adding, 'I am sincerely sorry as a politician for making you experience something that should not have been experienced.'