Conflicts over the leadership of Jang Dong-hyuk, head of the People Power Party, have escalated from the National Assembly to the party's grassroots. Responsible party members demanding Jang's resignation argue that a party-wide vote is necessary for re-endorsement, while the Responsible Party Members Council warns against using the names of responsible members as political weapons.
Park In-kyu, who is leading the signature campaign for Jang's resignation, held a press conference in front of the National Assembly on August 11, stating, "The calls for Jang's resignation have not ceased, but no one within the party has stepped up responsibly."
At the conference, he revealed a petition signed by approximately 27,000 party members and citizens urging Jang's resignation, criticizing that he had delivered this petition to 33 senior lawmakers but received official responses from none.
He added, "The reality of the People Power Party is that it is safer to remain silent out of fear of backlash from the hardline supporters, labeling legitimate criticism as 'internal strife.'" He pointed out that the party is suppressing dissenting voices while holding disciplinary measures and the potential for changing local party leaders.
Park further argued that a party-wide vote should be conducted to allow members to directly decide on Jang's resignation and the party's direction. If Jang refuses to accept this, he plans to gather support from 20% of responsible members to invoke the party's recall system.
In response, the People Power Party's Responsible Members Council stated, "Do not misrepresent 20,000 signatures as the will of 1 million responsible members," and criticized the movement for attempting to turn the party into a battleground for factions.
Spokesperson Yoo Young-dae issued a statement emphasizing that while they do not oppose criticism or calls for resignation of the party leader, they firmly oppose using the names of party members to advance specific political agendas.
Yoo highlighted that responsible members should not be political pawns for specific factions and urged that if a party-wide vote is necessary, it should follow the proper procedures outlined in the party's constitution and regulations. He cautioned that pouring all political energy into ousting the party leader would not lead to reform but merely a power struggle. He stated, "While it is free to support or oppose the party leader, the party's constitution and democratic procedures must be upheld."
The party leadership has maintained a strategy of ignoring the signature campaign. Jang responded briefly on August 5, questioning whether the opinions of just over 20,000 party members could represent the will of more than 1 million members, and has not issued an official statement since. Chief Spokesperson Park Chung-kwon also told reporters that Jang has not been briefed on the matter recently and feels there is no need to respond.
Park In-kyu, who is leading the signature campaign for Jang's resignation, held a press conference in front of the National Assembly on August 11, stating, "The calls for Jang's resignation have not ceased, but no one within the party has stepped up responsibly."
At the conference, he revealed a petition signed by approximately 27,000 party members and citizens urging Jang's resignation, criticizing that he had delivered this petition to 33 senior lawmakers but received official responses from none.
He added, "The reality of the People Power Party is that it is safer to remain silent out of fear of backlash from the hardline supporters, labeling legitimate criticism as 'internal strife.'" He pointed out that the party is suppressing dissenting voices while holding disciplinary measures and the potential for changing local party leaders.
Park further argued that a party-wide vote should be conducted to allow members to directly decide on Jang's resignation and the party's direction. If Jang refuses to accept this, he plans to gather support from 20% of responsible members to invoke the party's recall system.
In response, the People Power Party's Responsible Members Council stated, "Do not misrepresent 20,000 signatures as the will of 1 million responsible members," and criticized the movement for attempting to turn the party into a battleground for factions.
Spokesperson Yoo Young-dae issued a statement emphasizing that while they do not oppose criticism or calls for resignation of the party leader, they firmly oppose using the names of party members to advance specific political agendas.
Yoo highlighted that responsible members should not be political pawns for specific factions and urged that if a party-wide vote is necessary, it should follow the proper procedures outlined in the party's constitution and regulations. He cautioned that pouring all political energy into ousting the party leader would not lead to reform but merely a power struggle. He stated, "While it is free to support or oppose the party leader, the party's constitution and democratic procedures must be upheld."
The party leadership has maintained a strategy of ignoring the signature campaign. Jang responded briefly on August 5, questioning whether the opinions of just over 20,000 party members could represent the will of more than 1 million members, and has not issued an official statement since. Chief Spokesperson Park Chung-kwon also told reporters that Jang has not been briefed on the matter recently and feels there is no need to respond.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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