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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Senior Lawmaker Suggests Discussing Ruling Party Leader's Resignation

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Senior People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young-se suggested discussing the resignation of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk following election losses.
  • Kwon stated that the party needs to consider all necessary measures to prevent further defeats, including leadership changes.
  • He also advised against an immediate push for nationwide by-elections, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the causes of the recent losses.

Senior People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young-se has indicated that the party should consider discussing the resignation of its leader, Jang Dong-hyuk, in the wake of recent election setbacks. Kwon, a five-term legislator, stated on SBS radio that the party must contemplate necessary actions to avoid future defeats, explicitly including leadership changes in this discussion.

We need to continue discussing what measures are necessary for our party to avoid further losses, including the possibility of the current leadership resigning.

— Kwon Young-seSenior People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young-se on the need for party reform.

"We need to continue discussing what measures are necessary for our party to avoid further losses, including the possibility of the current leadership resigning," Kwon said. When asked directly if Jang should step down, Kwon responded, "We need to discuss that, including that possibility."

We need to discuss that, including that possibility.

— Kwon Young-seKwon Young-se's response when asked if party leader Jang Dong-hyuk should resign.

Kwon characterized the recent election results as a clear loss for the People Power Party, despite the victory of incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. He attributed Oh's win primarily to his personal qualifications and a significant difference in capabilities compared to his opponent, rather than effective party strategy or preparation. Kwon drew a parallel to the party's situation in 2011, when leadership resignations followed a defeat, suggesting that the current complacency after a de facto loss needs to change.

Objectively, it was a loss for our party.

— Kwon Young-seKwon Young-se's assessment of the recent election results.

Furthermore, Kwon expressed reservations about Jang's call for nationwide by-elections, including in Seoul. He argued that such a move is inappropriate as a primary objective and that a thorough investigation into the election failures should precede any calls for new elections. Kwon suggested that an objective investigation, potentially through a special prosecutor appointed by the opposition, would be beneficial for uncovering the truth.

A nationwide by-election should not be presented as the immediate priority; a fact-finding investigation must come first.

— Kwon Young-seKwon Young-se's stance on calls for by-elections.
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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