People Power Party lawmakers push back against leadership's plan to change chapter chair selection

A push by the ruling People Power Party's leadership to elect all local chapter chairs through party member votes has hit a snag. Lawmakers voiced strong opposition to the plan during a party meeting, advocating for the continuation of the existing selection process.

The leadership's proposal, championed by leader Jang Dong-hyuk, aims to shift towards a more "party member-centric" approach. However, this initiative has drawn dissent not only from reformist factions like the 'Pro-Han Dong-hoon' group but also from floor leader Jeong Jin-seok and lawmakers from the Yeongnam and older establishment factions.

Choi Soo-jin, the party's deputy floor leader for public relations, stated after the meeting that the lawmakers' consensus was to "continue with the existing method," which involves re-election by the chapter steering committees. She added that Floor Leader Jeong would convey this sentiment to the party leadership.

The party leadership had initially intended to pass a motion at the executive committee meeting on August 20th to have all chapter chairs resign at the end of their terms this month and then be re-elected through party member votes. However, this was postponed due to opposition from Jeong and non-leadership faction members. The conflict is anticipated to intensify if Jang attempts to force the issue at the upcoming executive committee meeting on August 24th.

“

The lawmakers' consensus was to continue with the existing method, meaning re-election by the chapter steering committees is preferred.