AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

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  • Leadership Crisis Erupts in South Koreas Political Parties Following Local Elections
    Leadership Crisis Erupts in South Korea's Political Parties Following Local Elections On June 3, the Democratic Party secured a significant victory in the local elections, winning 12 out of 16 metropolitan mayoral positions. However, the party's loss in the highly contested Seoul mayoral race has sparked accountability questions directed at leader Jeong Cheong-rae. Meanwhile, the People Power Party, which won only four seats, is facing calls for Jang Dong-hyuk's resignation from members aligned with the pro-Han faction.According to political sources on June 6, internal dissent within the Democratic Party is growing against Jeong's leadership. The upcoming party convention in August is expected to influence the leadership race, especially with the potential candidacy of Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister.Former Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok publicly criticized Jeong, declaring a fight against his leadership. On June 3, he stated, "Now that the voting is over, I will dedicate everything to removing Jeong. The arrogant party leader has deeply hurt the people of Honam. I will unite to demand a leadership change that reflects the voices of Honam residents."Kim Kwan-young, who ran as an independent after disputing the results of the Jeonbuk gubernatorial primary, also voiced his discontent after the election results were announced on June 4. He remarked, "This election was a contest between the people of Jeonbuk and Jeong Cheong-rae's leadership. The Democratic Party does not belong to Jeong. We must hold accountable the Jeong faction for the unfair nominations."On the same day, lawmaker Song Young-gil appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and emphasized the importance of the party leadership for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, stating, "We will evaluate the leadership at the party convention."Calls for Jang Dong-hyuk's resignation are also intensifying within the People Power Party. Pro-Han lawmakers are urging him to take responsibility for the poor election results.Supreme Council member Woo Jae-jun stated on June 5 during YTN Radio's 'Jang Seong-cheol's News Myungdang' that, "It is difficult to evaluate that the leadership significantly helped in this local election. Many candidates probably know this, and the leadership must reflect on it deeply. It is appropriate to take responsibility accordingly."Woo suggested that Jang should step down to help resolve internal conflicts, stating, "If Jang continues to hold on, the conflicts will not be resolved. It would be better for him to step down and hold a proper party convention to receive an evaluation, which would help us think about the future direction of our party."Lawmaker Park Jeong-hoon also called for the entire Jang leadership to resign, pointing out, "There were hardly any incumbents among the metropolitan mayors. Despite the incumbency advantage, eight incumbents lost, which is a significant defeat." He added, "If a confidence vote were held now, I believe Jang would lose. Party members will question whether we can win the next general election with Jang's face leading us."Even lawmakers not aligned with the pro-Han faction have supported calls for Jang's accountability. Lawmaker Choi Hyung-doo remarked, "This election showed failures from both the ruling and opposition parties. Both sides were told that their leaders did not help in the elections and should stay away." Lawmaker Kim Tae-ho warned that while the local elections provided an opportunity for conservatives, the current direction cannot restore trust, urging Jang to pave the way for conservative unity and reconstruction.Meanwhile, Jang has distanced himself from the resignation calls and has begun a campaign outside the party, likely to rally support by highlighting the 'shortage of ballots' issue that arose during the election process. In contrast, the party's floor leader Song Eon-seok and policy committee chairman Jeong Jeom-sik expressed their intention to resign the previous day, stating, "Our party also needs a fresh start." As pressure mounts from all sides for Jang to resign, it remains to be seen whether he can continue in his leadership role.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-06 09:03:00
  • Kim Do-eup, Sung Il-jong, and Jeong Jeom-sik Announce Candidacy for People Power Party Floor Leader
    Kim Do-eup, Sung Il-jong, and Jeong Jeom-sik Announce Candidacy for People Power Party Floor Leader On June 5, Song Eon-seok resigned as floor leader of the People Power Party, prompting the party to prepare for a new election on June 9. Candidates for the position include four-term lawmaker Kim Do-eup from Busan, three-term lawmakers Sung Il-jong from South Chungcheong, and Jeong Jeom-sik from South Gyeongsang.Kim Do-eup emphasized his commitment to party unity and neutrality. At a press conference, he stated, "I will do my utmost to restore harmony within the divided party and rebuild conservatism, which has been weakened." He added, "The People Power Party must be reborn. We can no longer cause conflict and concern among the public. We need to regain the trust of the people through change and renewal, and unify the party to rebuild a crisis-stricken conservatism."He also called for a fight against the ruling party's dominance, stating, "We must defend liberal democracy and the rule of law. We need to normalize the dysfunctional National Assembly and restore politics through dialogue and compromise, while also achieving results in the economy through negotiation and persuasion."Kim expressed his belief that he is the right person to unify and revitalize the party, saying, "I have dedicated myself to the Republic of Korea and its people from a neutral standpoint, regardless of factions."Sung Il-jong highlighted his independent political stance, stating, "In my ten years in the National Assembly, I have never relied on any specific faction or group." He asserted, "I am confident that I can be the right person to create a platform for unity solely for the people and the party, based on the beliefs I have upheld until now. I will boldly drive the party's renewal efforts on the foundation of unity."He further emphasized the need for transformation within the People Power Party, stating, "It is essential for the party to change for the sake of unification and renewal. However, having leaders from the legal profession monopolize these roles is not what the public desires. We need a floor leader who can resonate with the people's experiences and speak their language."Jeong Jeom-sik spoke about his dedication to the party, saying, "I have always stood by the party during difficult times and have fought with action, not just words."He stressed the need for leadership that can unite all 110 members to ensure victory in the upcoming 23rd general election, stating, "I will be the floor leader who brings that strength together." He pledged to focus on restoring trust and unity within the party during his one-year term as floor leader, laying the groundwork for success in the next general election.All three lawmakers acknowledged the issue of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's potential return to the party, describing him as an asset to the broader conservative movement, but emphasized the need to consider the opinions of party members and approach the matter with care.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 18:15:00
  • Korean Party Leaders Song Eon-seok and Jeong Jeom-sik Resign, Call for New Beginning
    Korean Party Leaders Song Eon-seok and Jeong Jeom-sik Resign, Call for New Beginning 6.3 local elections prompted the resignation of Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Jeong Jeom-sik, the party's policy chief.During a party meeting on June 5, Song announced, "I wish to resign from my position as floor leader." He added, "The results of this election clearly reflect the will of the people. It is a great victory for the wise citizens. The public did not give overwhelming power to any one party or faction, reminding us that the principles of checks and balances and democracy are important." He emphasized that the People Power Party must reflect, innovate, and re-engage with the public, stating, "I believe our party needs a new beginning," and expressed hope for the swift election of a new floor leader to move the party forward. Song's resignation comes ten days before the end of his term on June 15.Jeong also stepped down from his position on the same day. In a post on Facebook, he reflected, "I began this journey with a serious sense of responsibility to fill the void left by my predecessor's resignation in January." He noted that he dedicated his efforts to developing policies that would provide tangible benefits to the public. Jeong expressed gratitude to his fellow lawmakers, party officials, and the public for their support during his tenure, stating, "Although I am stepping down from my title, I will continue to fulfill my role in the field of people's livelihoods."Kwak Gyu-taek, the party's floor spokesperson, spoke to reporters after the meeting about the timing for electing a new floor leader, suggesting it could happen early next week. He mentioned that the floor leader election management committee would hold its first meeting that day to establish a timeline for the election.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 15:09:00
  • Song Eon-seok Resigns as Floor Leader of People Power Party, Calls for Renewal
    Song Eon-seok Resigns as Floor Leader of People Power Party, Calls for Renewal Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, announced his resignation from the position on June 5.During a general meeting held at the National Assembly, Song stated, "I wish to resign from the floor leader position today." He emphasized, "The public has not granted unilateral power to any one party or authority, reminding us of the importance of checks and balances in democracy. This has placed a heavy task on the People Power Party to reflect, innovate, and engage more closely with the people." He added, "In light of the public's wishes, I believe our party needs a fresh start. I hope a new floor leader will be elected soon so that the People Power Party can move forward with renewed strength." Reflecting on the past year, he remarked, "It has been anything but easy. When I took on the significant role of floor leader right after our defeat in the presidential election, the party was in turmoil. Amidst this, we faced intense political attacks from President Lee Jae-myung and the formation of a special investigation atmosphere, with numerous controversial laws, including the Yellow Envelope Act, being pushed through the National Assembly, leaving us in a constant state of tension." He continued, "Throughout the past year, I held onto two words: survival and rebuilding. In the face of sudden martial law, impeachment, and the fierce waves of our election loss, I felt it was my responsibility to protect the party and restore the balance of power in South Korean politics, aiming to rebuild the party into one that earns the trust of the people again." Song expressed gratitude to the public and party members for their support during difficult times, stating, "Thanks to you, we were able to survive. Although there are regrets from this local election, we have laid the minimum foundation to rise again." However, he acknowledged, "My capabilities were insufficient, and I have not fully accomplished the task of rebuilding the party. This responsibility now falls to the new floor leader." He concluded, "If I were to sum up my feelings over the past year in one word, it would be humility. Each moment of negotiation was painful due to the invisible arrogance and unilateral management of the ruling party. I hope we will win the next general election and repay our senior colleagues." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 14:39:00
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Investigation into Election Ballot Shortage
    Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Investigation into Election Ballot Shortage Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, demanded a national investigation and a special prosecutor's inquiry into the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections. In a post on his Facebook page, Jang stated, "We must uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable." He emphasized, "The ballot shortage undermined the fairness of the election. It poses a serious threat to our liberal democracy," adding that the outcome of this situation could determine the future of democracy in South Korea. Jang criticized Lee Jae-myung, saying, "He referred to it as a 'hard-to-understand flaw' and expressed 'great regret.' Yet, he deployed police to forcibly remove citizens and ballots." He expressed his deep disappointment regarding the situation. He stated, "The counting should have been halted. The removal of ballots should have been prevented. I am sorry and ashamed that nothing was done to stop this reality," pledging to fight alongside the citizens until the end. Additionally, he strongly called for a swift national investigation and the appointment of a special prosecutor, insisting that Na Tae-ack, the chairman, the secretary-general, and all members of the Election Commission should resign in light of this incident. He warned that if they refuse, the party would pursue impeachment immediately. He also urged the formation of a parliamentary special committee for Election Commission reform, stating that it has surpassed the level of being entrusted to the Commission itself.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 11:30:00
  • Proponents of Chinhang Demand Resignation of Leader Jang Dong-hyuk After Election Loss
    Proponents of Chinhang Demand Resignation of Leader Jang Dong-hyuk After Election Loss People Power Party lawmakers aligned with the Chinhang faction called on Jang Dong-hyuk to take responsibility for the results of the June 3 local elections and resign.Woo Jae-jun, a senior member of the party, stated on YTN Radio's "Jang Seong-cheol's News Myungdang" that while many candidates lost, the overall results were slightly better than initially feared. He noted, "Although we have a score of 12 to 4, there were also more victories in local government positions, and we narrowly lost in several metropolitan areas." He added, "It is difficult to evaluate that the leadership significantly contributed to this local election. Many candidates are likely aware of this, and the leadership must reflect on it. It is appropriate for them to take responsibility accordingly."Woo pointed out both the strengths and weaknesses of Jang's leadership during the election process. He expressed, "It would be good if he resigned. On one hand, he worked hard. There were areas where he performed well and others where he did not." He specifically criticized Jang for expending too much energy on expelling Han Dong-hoon, which negatively impacted the Busan mayoral election. However, he acknowledged that Jang contributed to resolving some confusion in Daegu and helped achieve some victories in South Chungcheong Province.He concluded, "I believe it would be beneficial for him to step down to help resolve conflicts. If Jang continues to hold on, the conflicts will not be resolved. It would be better for him to step down and hold a formal party convention to receive a proper evaluation, which would help us gather our thoughts on the future direction of our party."Park Jeong-hoon also echoed the call for the entire leadership under Jang Dong-hyuk to resign. Speaking on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show," Park stated, "Ultimately, we suffered a crushing defeat in this election. Almost all the metropolitan leaders were incumbents. Despite the incumbent advantage, eight incumbents lost, which is a significant defeat."He attributed the election difficulties to the decision to expel Han Dong-hoon, which he claimed divided the party. "The reasons for the expulsion were nonsensical and unrelated to him. The individuals most responsible are Jang Dong-hyuk, Shin Dong-wook, and Song Eon-seok," he asserted.Park predicted, "If a confidence vote were held now, I believe Jang would lose. We need to conduct the next general election under this leadership, but can we win with Jang Dong-hyuk's face leading the charge?" He added, "After this experience, it seems that Jang Dong-hyuk's leadership has led to losses. Some have even referred to him as the 'grim reaper of elections.' I believe party members have realized through this election whether Jang's leadership can lead us into the next general election."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 10:03:00
  • Calls for Leadership Change in People Power Party After Local Election Loss
    Calls for Leadership Change in People Power Party After Local Election Loss Calls for the resignation of Jang Dong-hyuk's leadership in the People Power Party are growing among lawmakers aligned with the Pro-Han Dong-hoon faction following the party's defeat in the June 3 local elections.Ahn Sang-hoon, a member of the faction, stated on Facebook on June 4, "Jang Dong-hyuk's leadership has absurdly expelled former leader Han Dong-hoon, while Oh Se-hoon, who distanced himself from Jang's leadership, managed to retain Seoul. This is a signal for the rational reconstruction of conservatism. Public sentiment reflects the will of the people, and the party leadership must quickly determine their future."Park Jeong-hoon also held a press conference at the National Assembly with fellow lawmakers, including Bae Hyun-jin, stating, "The leadership will reflect on their decisions, but for our party to be reborn as a beloved entity, the local elections must serve as a turning point. I believe the opinions of the lawmakers are aligned. I expect a consensus to be reached in the party meeting." Kim So-hee, a lawmaker with less factional affiliation, also posted on Facebook, urging, "The leadership of the People Power Party must resign in response to the public's reprimand."Jin Jong-o remarked on Han's victory in the Busan North District by-election, saying, "This is the last warning and opportunity from the public for the People Power Party to change. It is a mandate to rebuild conservatism through unification. We must not dismiss or ignore the voices calling for reform any longer."However, Jang appears set to ignore the calls for resignation and continue in his role. After leaving the Central Party's counting room in Yeouido on the morning of June 4, he did not appear in public and skipped the afternoon party meeting due to health reasons. Instead, he posted on Facebook, stating, "Despite the difficulties faced in this election, we have maintained the spark of hope. I will not shy away from the heavy responsibility placed upon me and will work with party members to find a new path forward."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 16:24:00
  • Han Dong-hoon Claims Local Election Results Signal Call for Conservative Revival
    Han Dong-hoon Claims Local Election Results Signal Call for Conservative Revival Han Dong-hoon, the independent candidate who won the Busan Buk-gap by-election, stated that the results of the June 3 local elections reflect a public mandate to rebuild conservatism.At a press conference on June 4 at his election office in Busan, Han expressed his belief that the public is "very wise and great," noting that significant victories in areas that did not completely abandon conservative parties suggest a shared understanding of the need for conservative revival.He also remarked, "The public has issued a meaningful warning to the Lee Jae-myung Democratic Party government," pointing out that a candidate backed by President Lee ultimately lost to him, an independent. He emphasized that citizens should consider how they judge actions like the cancellation of charges against candidates, which he discussed throughout the campaign.Han indicated his intention to rejoin the People Power Party, stating, "I promised to return on the day I was unjustly expelled, and this election victory is part of fulfilling that promise." He added that many lawmakers he has spoken with agree on the necessity of rebuilding conservatism based on the sentiments expressed in this election.Furthermore, he criticized the current leadership of the People Power Party, saying their actions do not reflect the dignity or capability expected of a conservative party. He urged them to reflect on their conduct and realign their direction.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 15:39:00
  • Oh Se-hoon Wins Fifth Term as Seoul Mayor in Close Election
    Oh Se-hoon Wins Fifth Term as Seoul Mayor in Close Election 6·3 local elections saw Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party narrowly defeat Jung Won-o of the Democratic Party in a closely contested race for Seoul Mayor. Oh becomes the first mayor in Seoul's history to serve five terms, solidifying his position as a potential presidential candidate.According to the National Election Commission, as of 10:30 a.m. on June 4, with 98.16% of votes counted, Oh secured 49% of the vote, while Jung received 48.28%. The margin between the two candidates was just 37,178 votes. Initially, Jung led by more than 30 percentage points, but as the counting progressed, Oh managed to overtake Jung's vote share.In his victory speech, Oh stated, "This election is a victory for common sense. The citizens have firmly established the great principle of democracy, which is checks and balances. Seoul has remained the last bastion of democracy, preventing South Korea from tipping completely to one side."He added, "Now it's time to get back to work. I will return to the administration immediately and address the issues that burden the lives of citizens one by one." Oh emphasized his commitment to creating a city where everyone, regardless of their background, can achieve fair opportunities, and to making Seoul a city that fosters pride and a warmer, healthier quality of life.Regarding the shortage of ballots, he expressed deep regret, stating, "As a candidate, I feel profound regret over the infringement of citizens' voting rights, which are fundamental and sacred to democracy. A thorough investigation into what went wrong is necessary, and there must be serious accountability and fundamental improvements."While the Democratic Party won in 12 out of 16 metropolitan elections, Oh's victory is seen as a significant win for the People Power Party, reclaiming the politically symbolic Seoul. However, there are concerns that Oh's distancing from party leader Jang Dong-hyuk during the campaign may complicate attributing the victory solely to him.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 11:24:00
  • Election Commission Addresses Ballot Shortage During Local Elections
    Election Commission Addresses Ballot Shortage During Local Elections The National Election Commission (NEC) acknowledged on June 4 that a shortage of ballots occurred during the 9th nationwide local elections, stating, "We take responsibility," but emphasized that this does not warrant a postponement or a re-election. In a statement released early that day, the NEC apologized for the confusion and inconvenience caused to voters at some polling stations on June 3 due to the lack of ballots. "We deeply regret the disruption to the exercise of voting rights for citizens who took the time to visit polling stations," the commission said. The NEC expressed its profound responsibility, noting, "Despite the efforts of each voter to participate in democracy, the commission's oversight led to significant disappointment and concern for those who came to cast their votes." However, the NEC asserted that the ballot shortage at some polling stations on election day does not qualify as grounds for postponing the election or calling for a re-election under the Public Official Election Act. They stated that halting the ongoing vote counting is not permissible, and the ballots from the affected polling stations must be transported to the counting center to confirm the voters' intentions. The commission also committed to making every effort to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and to implement measures to prevent its recurrence once the counting is completed. They reiterated their apology for failing to ensure a smooth exercise of voting rights and promised to provide the public with detailed information regarding the causes and solutions to prevent such issues in the future. Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, visited the NEC to protest the ballot shortage. Speaking to reporters, he stated, "We strongly demanded a halt to the counting process, but the NEC did not accept our request," asserting, "This election is unacceptable." Jang claimed, "The citizens' voting rights have been infringed upon, and this election is severely compromised," expressing strong regret over the NEC's decision and vowing to fight alongside the public until the issue is resolved.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 04:39:00