People Power Party Leader Vows Member Power Expansion Amid Internal Backlash

Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, celebrated his one-year anniversary in office on May 26 by announcing his commitment to further empower party members. He pledged to expand their role in electing local party officials, including provincial and district chapter chairmen, ushering in what he termed the "Party Member Sovereignty 2.0 era."

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It is something that must be done, and my conviction has not changed.

Despite facing internal resistance, Jang reiterated his determination to push for the direct election of district chapter chairmen by party members. This proposal had been temporarily shelved by the party's supreme council on May 24 due to opposition from incumbent lawmakers. "It is something that must be done, and my conviction has not changed," Jang stated, acknowledging concerns about the timing and pace of the implementation. He emphasized the need to consider various opinions and find a rational standard. Jang also stressed the importance of internal party reform, including strengthening party member sovereignty, as a prerequisite for effective confrontation with the ruling party.

Regarding the potential reunification of conservative forces, Jang expressed his commitment to working with all conservative factions. "We will strive to unite with all conservative forces," he said, aiming for the People Power Party to become the "elder brother" of the conservative movement. When asked about potential alliances with figures like Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party or independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, Jang noted that "the prerequisite for alliance and merger is synergy." He cautioned against actions that would end as mere events or create further conflict without genuine cohesion.

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We will strive to unite with all conservative forces.

However, Jang's focus on strengthening the party's core base has drawn sharp criticism from within the party. A faction of reform-minded lawmakers, including Lee Seong-kwon, the convenor of the "Alternative and Future" group, publicly called for Jang's resignation. Lee argued on Facebook that Jang's vision of a "strong party on its own" by relying on a hardline base, without pursuing rational ideological shifts, is incomprehensible. He urged Jang to relinquish his position if he truly wishes to serve the People Power Party and conservatism and effectively challenge the Lee Jae-myung administration.

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The prerequisite for alliance and merger is synergy.

Another lawmaker, Cho Eun-hee, also criticized Jang's approach on Facebook, calling his slogans "substandard" and an imitation of the Democratic Party's "absolute party memberism." She argued that such rhetoric cannot cover up the party's collapsed leadership and that a new leadership capable of regaining public trust is urgently needed. Senior lawmakers with four or more terms also met, agreeing that the party's current state makes winning the next general election difficult. They also expressed concerns that disciplinary actions against members could harm party unity.

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The party's current state makes winning the next general election difficult.