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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

People Power Party Plummets to 15% Approval Amidst Internal Strife

From Hankyoreh · (11h ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The People Power Party's (PPP) approval rating has dropped to a record low of 15%, according to a recent poll, widening the gap with the Democratic Party.
  • Despite the declining support, interim leader Jang Dong-hyuk has issued a strong warning against "acts of betrayal" within the party, targeting factions aligned with former leader Han Dong-hoon.
  • This internal conflict is escalating, with pro-Han lawmakers openly criticizing Jang's leadership and the party facing significant challenges ahead of the June local elections.

The People Power Party (PPP) finds itself in a precarious position, with recent polls revealing a historic low of 15% approval rating, a stark indicator of public dissatisfaction. As the Hankyoreh reports, this decline has widened the chasm between the PPP and the Democratic Party, creating immense pressure just weeks before the June local elections.

An army with broken discipline cannot win a battle.

— Jang Dong-hyukInterim leader of the People Power Party, comparing the party's situation to a military unit.

In response to this crisis, interim leader Jang Dong-hyuk has adopted a combative stance, issuing a stern warning against "acts of betrayal" and signaling a potential "immediate replacement" of candidates engaging in such behavior. This strong rhetoric is widely interpreted as a direct challenge to the factions loyal to former leader Han Dong-hoon, further fueling internal discord within the party. The timing of this confrontation, amidst a national election campaign, is particularly damaging, diverting attention from substantive policy discussions to internal power struggles.

From now on, I will take strong measures against acts of betrayal. If a candidate commits an act of betrayal, they will be immediately replaced.

— Jang Dong-hyukIssuing a warning against disloyal actions within the party.

Pro-Han lawmakers have not remained silent, firing back at Jang's leadership. Representative Park Jeong-hoon questioned the clarity of who is truly engaging in "acts of betrayal" given the party's plummeting support, while Representative Bae Hyun-jin sharply retorted, suggesting Jang should "go to America." Former leader Han Dong-hoon himself has labeled the situation as "abnormal." The Seoul City Party chapter, led by Bae Hyun-jin, has also publicly defied the central party's decision regarding a candidate's dual party affiliation, signaling a deep rift.

The party's approval rating has dropped to 15%. Isn't it clear who is committing acts of betrayal?

— Park Jeong-hoonA lawmaker criticizing Jang Dong-hyuk's statement.

From our vantage point at the Hankyoreh, this internal strife is not merely a matter of political maneuvering; it reflects a fundamental disconnect between the party leadership and the electorate, as well as a failure to present a united front. The focus on internal purges and candidate replacements, rather than addressing the root causes of public discontent, is likely to further alienate voters. The party's current trajectory suggests a difficult electoral battle ahead, with the leadership's ability to navigate these internal conflicts and regain public trust remaining a significant question mark.

Are you threatening candidates now? Why don't you just go to America?

— Bae Hyun-jinA lawmaker criticizing Jang Dong-hyuk's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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