People Power Party leadership clashes over discipline and direction

Tensions flared within the ruling People Power Party's leadership as a public dispute broke out over disciplinary actions and the party's direction.

The conflict escalated when Woo Jae-joon, a member of the non-majority faction within the Supreme Council, directly challenged party leader Jang Dong-hyuk. Woo criticized Jang's emphasis on disciplinary measures, stating, "If you see party members as enemies, you should resign." He argued that Jang's view of dissenters as engaging in 'malicious acts' indicated a lack of balanced judgment and urged Jang to step down for the sake of party unity.

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If you see party members as enemies, you should resign.

Woo also questioned the legitimacy of the current leadership's term, suggesting it was formed due to the previous leadership's downfall and should primarily focus on the upcoming local elections. Jang had previously named Woo, along with lawmakers Kim Jae-seop and Kim Yong-tae, in a YouTube appearance, citing the need for party discipline.

Supporters of the party leader swiftly retaliated. Kim Min-soo, another Supreme Council member, vociferously attacked Woo, demanding, "If you talk about resignation so much because you feel so responsible, then resign yourself." Kim accused Woo of publicly insulting the party leader in front of the nation and questioned his contributions beyond that.

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If you talk about resignation so much because you feel so responsible, then resign yourself.

Cho Kwang-han, also on the Supreme Council, joined the criticism, calling Woo's statements self-serving and damaging to political trust. He lamented that no party leader had completed their term in the past decade, warning that the party would lose another ten years if it failed to reform.

Behind closed doors, Jang reportedly explained that his remarks on discipline were general and not aimed at specific individuals without grounds. Floor leader Jung Jin-suk reportedly criticized the Supreme Council meetings being used to attack Jang after the local elections.

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I don't remember you doing anything special besides publicly insulting the party leader, whom party members elected, in front of the public.