Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, and lawmaker Woo Jae-jun [Photo=Yonhap News]
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is showing signs of resuming what is known as "disciplinary politics," leading to increased dissatisfaction among opposition members within the party. Despite calls for his resignation from some party members, Jang has firmly stated, "There will be no resignation," suggesting that clashes between the two factions are likely inevitable.
Kim Jae-seop, a member of the party's youth group "Alternatives and Future," appeared on CBS Radio's "Park Seong-tae's News Show" on July 1, stating, "If the party leader acts unjustly and goes against public sentiment, he should naturally be subject to criticism," adding, "If criticizing the party leader is grounds for punishment, then go ahead and punish us."
On June 26, Jang appeared on the conservative media outlet Pen and Mic's YouTube channel, mentioning Kim and Woo Jae-jun by name, saying, "When attacking the leadership within the party, they are the first to come out and raise their voices." Following this, it was announced that the party's Central Ethics Committee would hold a general meeting on July 6 to review the disciplinary requests that have been submitted, raising speculation about the revival of disciplinary politics.
In relation to this, Jin Jong-o, a lawmaker aligned with the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction, pointed out on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "if disciplinary politics are being initiated, it usually happens when power is about to collapse." Jin's name has been mentioned as a potential target for the first disciplinary action in this political climate.
The pro-Jang faction argues that some level of discipline is necessary to establish order within the party. They view the support of independent candidate Han Dong-hoon over the party's candidate, former Minister of Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik, in the Busan North Gap by-election as a violation of party rules.
In response to the controversy, Han Dong-hoon told reporters, "It seems that Jang wants to fight with me to prolong his tenure, but I will not engage with him," adding, "It is regrettable that such forces are leading conservative politics. Therefore, a reconstruction of conservatism is essential."
Meanwhile, on June 29, Jang dismissed resignation rumors during a closed-door Supreme Council meeting, stating, "No matter what decisions are made in the general assembly or what comments are made by anyone in the Supreme Council, I will not resign." This has led to predictions of an escalating confrontation between the two factions in the political arena.
Kim Jae-seop, a member of the party's youth group "Alternatives and Future," appeared on CBS Radio's "Park Seong-tae's News Show" on July 1, stating, "If the party leader acts unjustly and goes against public sentiment, he should naturally be subject to criticism," adding, "If criticizing the party leader is grounds for punishment, then go ahead and punish us."
On June 26, Jang appeared on the conservative media outlet Pen and Mic's YouTube channel, mentioning Kim and Woo Jae-jun by name, saying, "When attacking the leadership within the party, they are the first to come out and raise their voices." Following this, it was announced that the party's Central Ethics Committee would hold a general meeting on July 6 to review the disciplinary requests that have been submitted, raising speculation about the revival of disciplinary politics.
In relation to this, Jin Jong-o, a lawmaker aligned with the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction, pointed out on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "if disciplinary politics are being initiated, it usually happens when power is about to collapse." Jin's name has been mentioned as a potential target for the first disciplinary action in this political climate.
The pro-Jang faction argues that some level of discipline is necessary to establish order within the party. They view the support of independent candidate Han Dong-hoon over the party's candidate, former Minister of Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik, in the Busan North Gap by-election as a violation of party rules.
In response to the controversy, Han Dong-hoon told reporters, "It seems that Jang wants to fight with me to prolong his tenure, but I will not engage with him," adding, "It is regrettable that such forces are leading conservative politics. Therefore, a reconstruction of conservatism is essential."
Meanwhile, on June 29, Jang dismissed resignation rumors during a closed-door Supreme Council meeting, stating, "No matter what decisions are made in the general assembly or what comments are made by anyone in the Supreme Council, I will not resign." This has led to predictions of an escalating confrontation between the two factions in the political arena.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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