Korean Party Faces Internal Strife Over Leader's Resignation

The People Power Party engaged in heated discussions over the resignation of its leader, Jang Dong-hyuk. The exchanges, which included calls for resignation, were broadcast live, prompting some council members to suggest a need for changes in the council's operational methods.

During a Supreme Council meeting on June 29, Woo Jae-jun remarked, "While our leadership talks about being a 'one team,' all I can recall are disciplinary actions. It seems our leadership is not in a position to lead a united team right now."

Targeting Jang, he stated, "If all members within the party see each other as enemies, it’s time for the leader to step down. For the party to unite, the leader must resign." He also referenced the Democratic Party's preparations for an upcoming convention, urging his own party to establish a leadership capable of preparing for the general elections.

In response, council member Cho Kwang-han emphasized the need for restraint in political discourse, stating, "The language of politicians should embody decorum and dignity. Self-serving thoughts and expressions diminish a politician's stature and erode public trust in politics."

Kim Min-soo added, "I can’t recall anything other than Woo publicly insulting the leader elected by party members. If they feel so strongly about responsibility, they should resign themselves."

Even after the meeting transitioned to a closed session, the disputes continued. Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon told reporters afterward that there were critical remarks about the repeated statements following local elections and the use of the Supreme Council to target specific individuals. He noted, "There were strong opinions that this could be perceived as conflict and division rather than unity within the party."

Shin Dong-wook also expressed concerns, stating, "The Supreme Council is a place for making important party decisions. It should not become a venue for constant calls for the leader's resignation. If this continues, we may need to reconsider how the Supreme Council operates, as it risks appearing to the public as a party that only fights."

Meanwhile, Jang has once again distanced himself from the calls for his resignation. According to Spokesperson Park, Jang argued in the closed meeting that the party should focus its efforts on a strong fight for restoring voting rights and special investigations, warning that indiscriminate demands for leadership resignations could dilute the party's efforts.