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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Supporters' Shouts Disrupt Lawmaker's Speech; People Power Party's Internal Strife Airs Publicly

From Hankyoreh · (35m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A public argument erupted between a People Power Party lawmaker and supporters of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk during an official event in Busan.
  • Supporters of Jang Dong-hyuk disrupted Rep. Cho Kyeong-tae's speech by chanting his name and shouting.
  • The incident highlights ongoing internal conflicts within the People Power Party, particularly concerning factional loyalties.

The People Power Party's internal discord was once again on full display, this time at an official campaign event in Busan. During the opening ceremony for Park Hyung-jun's mayoral campaign office, lawmaker Cho Kyeong-tae found his speech interrupted by a chorus of chants for party leader Jang Dong-hyuk from a segment of the attendees. This disruption, characterized by shouting and persistent calls for Jang, turned what should have been a moment of party unity into an embarrassing public spectacle.

Be quiet. It's so frustrating.

— Cho Kyeong-taeResponding to the disruptive chanting during his speech.

Rep. Cho, visibly frustrated, retorted to the disruptive faction, stating, "It is because of people like you that the People Power Party is failing." He implored them to quiet down, expressing his exasperation with their behavior. The situation escalated as the chants for Jang Dong-hyuk intensified, prompting Cho to retort, "Those chanting Jang Dong-hyuk's name should just go home. This is Park Hyung-jun's campaign headquarters." This public clash underscores the deep divisions within the party, seemingly pitting factions against each other even at official events.

Those chanting Jang Dong-hyuk's name should just go home. This is Park Hyung-jun's campaign headquarters.

— Cho Kyeong-taeAddressing the supporters who were disrupting the event.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of the party's recent nominations for the June 3 by-elections. The nomination of candidates with close ties to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, such as Lee Jin-sook and Kim Tae-gyu, has fueled speculation about the party's continued alignment with the 'pro-Yoon' faction. While the party leadership, including leader Jang Dong-hyuk and floor leader Song Eon-seok, attended the event, the disruption suggests that internal loyalties and power struggles are far from resolved. The party's attempt to project an image of unity is clearly undermined by such public displays of internal conflict, raising questions about its ability to move forward cohesively.

I heard that there were inconveniences in reporting due to YouTubers at the opening ceremony of candidate Park's campaign office.

— Campaign OfficialExplaining the decision to restrict YouTuber access to a subsequent event.
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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