Members of the People Power Party's 'Alternatives and Future' group talk during a breakfast meeting at the National Assembly on June 25, 2026. [Photo=Yonhap News]
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, faced significant backlash from within the party after stating that "discipline must be established" upon his return to party duties. The faction known as 'Alternatives and Future' particularly rallied around calls for Jang's resignation.
Lee Seong-gwon, a member of Alternatives and Future, held a press conference following a breakfast meeting at the National Assembly on June 25, stating, "Today, we reaffirmed that under Jang's leadership, characterized by a misguided hardline approach and exclusionary politics, the party is doomed to fail and is in chaos."
Lee criticized Jang's comments about party discipline, urging him to first correct the behavior of his close aides. He argued, "Removing the chief of staff who demands the dissolution of voluntary gatherings among lawmakers is essential for restoring party discipline."
Another member, Song Seok-jun, expressed skepticism about Jang's intentions, saying, "I don't understand how he plans to establish discipline. In fact, the behavior of his close aides has often undermined party unity. That needs to be addressed as well."
Dissatisfaction also arose regarding Jang's call for a re-election. Lee remarked, "By advocating for a re-election as his first statement upon returning, he is rejecting the consensus reached in the general assembly. A leadership that has lost trust cannot inspire hope for the future. I urge Jang to resign for the sake of the party's future."
Member Ko Dong-jin added, "In Seoul, such a situation is unacceptable. While it is appropriate to examine issues raised in limited areas, discussing re-elections first is misguided."
Previously, Jang held a press conference after being discharged from the hospital, stating, "Revitalizing the party and establishing discipline have become urgent tasks. Correcting our party is the first step toward rebuilding conservatism." He also mentioned, "Now is the time to focus on the special investigation into restoring voting rights and to rally support for re-elections."
Some analysts suggest that Jang may leverage the ethics committee, which had been inactive ahead of the June 3 local elections, to resume what they term 'disciplinary politics.' With his emphasis on discipline immediately upon returning to party duties, tensions between the pro-Jang faction and opposition factions are expected to resurface, indicating a potential resurgence of internal party conflict.
Lee Seong-gwon, a member of Alternatives and Future, held a press conference following a breakfast meeting at the National Assembly on June 25, stating, "Today, we reaffirmed that under Jang's leadership, characterized by a misguided hardline approach and exclusionary politics, the party is doomed to fail and is in chaos."
Lee criticized Jang's comments about party discipline, urging him to first correct the behavior of his close aides. He argued, "Removing the chief of staff who demands the dissolution of voluntary gatherings among lawmakers is essential for restoring party discipline."
Another member, Song Seok-jun, expressed skepticism about Jang's intentions, saying, "I don't understand how he plans to establish discipline. In fact, the behavior of his close aides has often undermined party unity. That needs to be addressed as well."
Dissatisfaction also arose regarding Jang's call for a re-election. Lee remarked, "By advocating for a re-election as his first statement upon returning, he is rejecting the consensus reached in the general assembly. A leadership that has lost trust cannot inspire hope for the future. I urge Jang to resign for the sake of the party's future."
Member Ko Dong-jin added, "In Seoul, such a situation is unacceptable. While it is appropriate to examine issues raised in limited areas, discussing re-elections first is misguided."
Previously, Jang held a press conference after being discharged from the hospital, stating, "Revitalizing the party and establishing discipline have become urgent tasks. Correcting our party is the first step toward rebuilding conservatism." He also mentioned, "Now is the time to focus on the special investigation into restoring voting rights and to rally support for re-elections."
Some analysts suggest that Jang may leverage the ethics committee, which had been inactive ahead of the June 3 local elections, to resume what they term 'disciplinary politics.' With his emphasis on discipline immediately upon returning to party duties, tensions between the pro-Jang faction and opposition factions are expected to resurface, indicating a potential resurgence of internal party conflict.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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