Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, has returned to the National Assembly and is actively working to strengthen party discipline. On July 28, a task force (TF) was launched to establish new evaluation criteria for elected officials, including current lawmakers.
According to the People Power Party, Jang is expected to soon announce the direction and methods for the party's reform plans that he has been developing. Additionally, the ethics committee initiated disciplinary procedures against anti-party faction lawmakers Jo Kyung-tae, Kwon Young-jin, and Jin Jong-o the previous day, raising concerns about potential conflicts between factions within the party.
During the first meeting of the 'Elected Officials Evaluation Innovation TF' held in the National Assembly, Jang personally presented appointment letters to the TF members and urged them to create a system that allows capable individuals to receive nominations. He stated, "We need to nominate those who dedicate their abilities to the public and party, rather than getting caught up in factional politics or internal disputes over nominations." He emphasized that the opinions of party members should be significantly included in the evaluation of public officials, stating, "This is the path to becoming a member-centered party."
The TF plans to meet weekly to reform the evaluation system for elected officials, including current lawmakers. While evaluations will not be conducted immediately, the criteria established may influence nomination decisions in the future, suggesting potential repercussions.
Political analysts suggest that Jang's move to establish new evaluation criteria for current lawmakers is a strategic step to strengthen his party leadership as he prepares to announce reform plans next month. By empowering party members, he aims to maintain control over the party and secure nomination rights for the 2028 general elections.
As Jang promotes a 'member-centered party,' internal turmoil seems inevitable, especially as this approach directly conflicts with the previously discussed concept of transitioning to a 'parliament-centered party' led by anti-party factions.
In this context, Jang's resumption of 'disciplinary politics' has prompted strong backlash from anti-party factions. Jin Jong-o, one of the targeted lawmakers, stated on his Facebook page, "If this is a baseless disciplinary action aimed at party consolidation, I will firmly oppose it," adding that what the People Power Party needs is not coercive disciplinary politics but a restoration of public trust.
Jo Kyung-tae also held a press conference in the National Assembly, questioning whether the disciplinary actions are legitimate or merely political retaliation to protect party leadership. He argued that the ethics committee should initiate severe disciplinary procedures against Jang, who has supported claims of election fraud and advocated for insurrection, rather than targeting him.
According to the People Power Party, Jang is expected to soon announce the direction and methods for the party's reform plans that he has been developing. Additionally, the ethics committee initiated disciplinary procedures against anti-party faction lawmakers Jo Kyung-tae, Kwon Young-jin, and Jin Jong-o the previous day, raising concerns about potential conflicts between factions within the party.
During the first meeting of the 'Elected Officials Evaluation Innovation TF' held in the National Assembly, Jang personally presented appointment letters to the TF members and urged them to create a system that allows capable individuals to receive nominations. He stated, "We need to nominate those who dedicate their abilities to the public and party, rather than getting caught up in factional politics or internal disputes over nominations." He emphasized that the opinions of party members should be significantly included in the evaluation of public officials, stating, "This is the path to becoming a member-centered party."
The TF plans to meet weekly to reform the evaluation system for elected officials, including current lawmakers. While evaluations will not be conducted immediately, the criteria established may influence nomination decisions in the future, suggesting potential repercussions.
Political analysts suggest that Jang's move to establish new evaluation criteria for current lawmakers is a strategic step to strengthen his party leadership as he prepares to announce reform plans next month. By empowering party members, he aims to maintain control over the party and secure nomination rights for the 2028 general elections.
As Jang promotes a 'member-centered party,' internal turmoil seems inevitable, especially as this approach directly conflicts with the previously discussed concept of transitioning to a 'parliament-centered party' led by anti-party factions.
In this context, Jang's resumption of 'disciplinary politics' has prompted strong backlash from anti-party factions. Jin Jong-o, one of the targeted lawmakers, stated on his Facebook page, "If this is a baseless disciplinary action aimed at party consolidation, I will firmly oppose it," adding that what the People Power Party needs is not coercive disciplinary politics but a restoration of public trust.
Jo Kyung-tae also held a press conference in the National Assembly, questioning whether the disciplinary actions are legitimate or merely political retaliation to protect party leadership. He argued that the ethics committee should initiate severe disciplinary procedures against Jang, who has supported claims of election fraud and advocated for insurrection, rather than targeting him.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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