People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok answers reporters’ questions after visiting Namae Port in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, on April 22. [Photo=Yonhap]
Two days after returning from a trip to the United States, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok is still facing controversy, with some in his party continuing to press—directly and indirectly—for his resignation. Jang has sought to shift attention to the South Korea-U.S. alliance, but the party has struggled to unify and focus its efforts ahead of the June 3 nationwide local elections and other contests.
In a Facebook post on April 22, Jang wrote that the United States is asking, “Are you coming with us or not?” He added that saying “thank you” in front while saying “xie xie” behind would “wreck” both the economy and national security. The message was widely read as a warning that a misstep in foreign policy amid a rapidly changing international order could cost South Korea on both fronts. Jang also said that during his U.S. visit, American figures asked, “Why is the South Korean government discriminating against U.S. companies, its ally, and trying to align with Chinese companies?”
A day earlier, Jang posted that President Lee Jae-myung was effectively preparing to “decide to break up” with the United States. He also uploaded a photo of President Donald Trump that the White House had posted on social media when the United States captured and transferred Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Inside the party, some lawmakers said they do not understand Jang’s overseas push. A first-term lawmaker said it was unclear how the U.S. trip connected to the local elections or how the delegation was chosen, adding that if many in the organization cannot understand it, Jang should explain rather than vaguely saying he cannot discuss it “as a matter of precedent.”
Calls for Jang to take responsibility have also surfaced publicly. Kim Jin-tae, the People Power Party’s candidate for Gangwon governor and the incumbent governor, urged Jang to “resolve what you started” when Jang visited Yangyang County on April 22—remarks that could be interpreted as a demand for Jang to step back or resign. Jang responded by deflecting, saying he did not know what Kim meant by the phrase.
Compounding the pressure, the Democratic Party has again hinted it could take all National Assembly standing committee posts in the second half of the parliamentary term. Floor leader Han Byung-do said at a resignation news conference the previous day that allocating committee chairmanships is meant to ensure competition and balance, but if chairmanships are used as a tool for political conflict, the allocation itself becomes meaningless. The remarks were seen as signaling that if he wins another term as floor leader, the party would regroup after the parliamentary by-elections and restart what it calls a “working National Assembly.”
Critics inside and outside the People Power Party say the “Jang Dong-hyeok leadership” is now beset by both internal strife and external pressure, with neither steady leadership nor party unity in evidence. The party has struggled to manage a string of conservative figures running as independents in Daegu and Busan, and it has not settled internal debate over calls to field no candidate in Busan Buk-gap. With the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections 42 days away, concerns are growing that the party must concentrate its resources on the campaigns.
A political source said those working on the ground in the elections are likely “on edge,” adding that the party appears to remain unsettled despite the looming votes.
In a Facebook post on April 22, Jang wrote that the United States is asking, “Are you coming with us or not?” He added that saying “thank you” in front while saying “xie xie” behind would “wreck” both the economy and national security. The message was widely read as a warning that a misstep in foreign policy amid a rapidly changing international order could cost South Korea on both fronts. Jang also said that during his U.S. visit, American figures asked, “Why is the South Korean government discriminating against U.S. companies, its ally, and trying to align with Chinese companies?”
A day earlier, Jang posted that President Lee Jae-myung was effectively preparing to “decide to break up” with the United States. He also uploaded a photo of President Donald Trump that the White House had posted on social media when the United States captured and transferred Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Inside the party, some lawmakers said they do not understand Jang’s overseas push. A first-term lawmaker said it was unclear how the U.S. trip connected to the local elections or how the delegation was chosen, adding that if many in the organization cannot understand it, Jang should explain rather than vaguely saying he cannot discuss it “as a matter of precedent.”
Calls for Jang to take responsibility have also surfaced publicly. Kim Jin-tae, the People Power Party’s candidate for Gangwon governor and the incumbent governor, urged Jang to “resolve what you started” when Jang visited Yangyang County on April 22—remarks that could be interpreted as a demand for Jang to step back or resign. Jang responded by deflecting, saying he did not know what Kim meant by the phrase.
Compounding the pressure, the Democratic Party has again hinted it could take all National Assembly standing committee posts in the second half of the parliamentary term. Floor leader Han Byung-do said at a resignation news conference the previous day that allocating committee chairmanships is meant to ensure competition and balance, but if chairmanships are used as a tool for political conflict, the allocation itself becomes meaningless. The remarks were seen as signaling that if he wins another term as floor leader, the party would regroup after the parliamentary by-elections and restart what it calls a “working National Assembly.”
Critics inside and outside the People Power Party say the “Jang Dong-hyeok leadership” is now beset by both internal strife and external pressure, with neither steady leadership nor party unity in evidence. The party has struggled to manage a string of conservative figures running as independents in Daegu and Busan, and it has not settled internal debate over calls to field no candidate in Busan Buk-gap. With the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections 42 days away, concerns are growing that the party must concentrate its resources on the campaigns.
A political source said those working on the ground in the elections are likely “on edge,” adding that the party appears to remain unsettled despite the looming votes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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