People Power reformists urge leader Jang Dong-hyuk to resign, calling party his 'personal property'

A reformist faction within South Korea's People Power Party, known as 'Alternatives and Future,' has intensified its calls for party leader Jang Dong-hyuk to step down. The group directly challenged Jang, stating, "Do not mistake the People Power Party for your personal property any longer," and reiterated their demand for his resignation.

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Do not mistake the People Power Party for your personal property any longer.

The faction accused Jang of misinterpreting the rise in the party's approval ratings following the June 3 local elections as his own accomplishment. They further criticized his assertion that the solution to issues concerning the infringement of political rights lies solely with the party leader. The group pointed out Jang's contradictory stance, acknowledging electoral defeats in terms of numbers while attributing the blame for the losses to individual lawmakers rather than his leadership.

'Alternatives and Future' urged Jang to reflect on his tenure as party leader, citing numerous instances of behavior that they claim defied public common sense. They argued that his repeated actions have led to the party being perceived by a majority of the public as a "playground for hardline conservatives," resulting in widespread alienation.

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You mistake the rise in party support after the June 3 local elections as your own merit, and you mistake that the solution to the problem of infringing on the right to participate in politics is held by the 'leader'.

The faction specifically recalled several of Jang's past controversial statements, including remarks made on November 12th about being "Hwang Kyo-ahn" (implying a similar political stance), on December 3rd defending a "state of emergency as a measure against parliamentary tyranny," and on February 20th stating that "demanding an apology and severance from the state of emergency sows seeds of division."

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You repeatedly engaged in behavior that defied common sense for the public, turning our party into a 'playground for hardline conservatives' that is shunned by the majority of the public.

In response to the party's electoral defeat, Jang has reportedly shown a "narrow-minded leadership," even mentioning disciplinary actions against specific critics by name. 'Alternatives and Future' warned that if the party leader remains solely focused on maintaining his position, the party's future is bleak. They urged Jang to face the party's sentiment and public opinion, and to take responsibility as promised, to allow the party to move forward.

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After the election defeat, Jang only shows narrow-minded leadership by mentioning disciplinary action against members of the party's sound criticism by name.