People Power Party lawmakers pressure leader Jang Dong-hyuk to resign after election defeat

The People Power Party convened an emergency general meeting on June 17, amid internal turmoil following a significant defeat in the June 10 local elections. The primary focus was the future of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and the party's response to alleged election irregularities, including a shortage of ballots.

From the outset, the meeting was marked by open conflict. Lawmaker Song Seok-jun publicly criticized Jang, stating the election became a "trial of Jang Dong-hyuk" rather than a referendum on the opposing party. Song urged Jang to resign, adding that failure to do so would earn him the label of "cowardly."

“

If he doesn't resign, he cannot escape being called a 'cowardly person.'

Other lawmakers, including Park Hyung-soo and Yoon Han-hong, echoed the calls for Jang's resignation. Yoon, a former key figure in the pro-Yoon faction, emphasized that party leaders should step down after poor election results as part of their political growth. At least seven lawmakers reportedly demanded Jang's resignation directly.

Despite the overwhelming pressure, the meeting failed to reach a consensus on Jang's leadership. Some lawmakers opposed his resignation, and Jang himself left the meeting before its conclusion. The party plans to file election appeals in 11 regions, though Jang's proposal for a nationwide appeal was rejected by the lawmakers.

“

If election results are not good, it is a politician's growth process to have the party leadership step down first.