The People Power Party is facing internal turmoil over the re-election of local committee chairs. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk has expressed a desire to re-elect all local committee chairs through member voting. However, party lawmakers have reached a consensus that it would be better to re-elect the current chairs through the operating committee as per existing practices. The matter now rests with the Supreme Council.
According to the party's constitution and regulations, the term of local committee chairs ends at the end of August in even-numbered years (Article 26 of the Local Organization Operation Regulations). Article 27 states that local committee chairs can be elected either by all party members or responsible party members, or by the operating committee selecting the current chair. Other methods determined by the Supreme Council are also permissible.
Under these regulations, it has been customary for the operating committee to automatically re-elect the current chair even after their term ends, unless the chair resigns or is recommended for replacement by the party's audit committee under special circumstances.
This issue gained traction after Jang emphasized on August 12 that he would not operate under the assumption that the term of local committee chairs would automatically extend. This announcement indicated that local committee chair elections would be held through member voting in all 253 local committees.
Political analysts suggest that the position of local committee chair is closely tied to the upcoming general election in two years, making the debate intense. It is undeniable that local committee chairs hold an advantageous position during the nomination process for the general election. Additionally, since local committee councils play a crucial role in grassroots politics, there is reluctance to relinquish such significant authority in their districts.
In fact, after Jang proposed a de facto 'unanimous re-endorsement vote,' there was significant backlash within the party. During a general meeting held the day before, concerns were raised that conducting member voting in a chaotic situation could divide party members. There were also arguments emphasizing the need for internal unity to form a cohesive front against the opposition.
One party lawmaker noted, "While the final decision rests with the Supreme Council, there is strong opposition from lawmakers. If this is pushed through, the leadership may struggle to handle the backlash." He added, "There are concerns that if current lawmakers lose in the local committee chair elections, it could weaken their sense of belonging and negatively impact party cohesion."
Supporters of Jang's approach argue that holding local committee chair elections through member voting represents a significant relinquishment of power by the party leader. They contend that since the party leader has given up some authority, local committee chairs should also relinquish their vested interests for the sake of party reform. Furthermore, it is argued that since the current chair would have an advantage in member voting, if they were to lose, it would indicate a lack of competitiveness in the general election, making a change logical.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to hold a Supreme Council meeting on August 24 to discuss the method of electing local committee chairs, whose terms end at the end of this month.
According to the party's constitution and regulations, the term of local committee chairs ends at the end of August in even-numbered years (Article 26 of the Local Organization Operation Regulations). Article 27 states that local committee chairs can be elected either by all party members or responsible party members, or by the operating committee selecting the current chair. Other methods determined by the Supreme Council are also permissible.
Under these regulations, it has been customary for the operating committee to automatically re-elect the current chair even after their term ends, unless the chair resigns or is recommended for replacement by the party's audit committee under special circumstances.
This issue gained traction after Jang emphasized on August 12 that he would not operate under the assumption that the term of local committee chairs would automatically extend. This announcement indicated that local committee chair elections would be held through member voting in all 253 local committees.
Political analysts suggest that the position of local committee chair is closely tied to the upcoming general election in two years, making the debate intense. It is undeniable that local committee chairs hold an advantageous position during the nomination process for the general election. Additionally, since local committee councils play a crucial role in grassroots politics, there is reluctance to relinquish such significant authority in their districts.
In fact, after Jang proposed a de facto 'unanimous re-endorsement vote,' there was significant backlash within the party. During a general meeting held the day before, concerns were raised that conducting member voting in a chaotic situation could divide party members. There were also arguments emphasizing the need for internal unity to form a cohesive front against the opposition.
One party lawmaker noted, "While the final decision rests with the Supreme Council, there is strong opposition from lawmakers. If this is pushed through, the leadership may struggle to handle the backlash." He added, "There are concerns that if current lawmakers lose in the local committee chair elections, it could weaken their sense of belonging and negatively impact party cohesion."
Supporters of Jang's approach argue that holding local committee chair elections through member voting represents a significant relinquishment of power by the party leader. They contend that since the party leader has given up some authority, local committee chairs should also relinquish their vested interests for the sake of party reform. Furthermore, it is argued that since the current chair would have an advantage in member voting, if they were to lose, it would indicate a lack of competitiveness in the general election, making a change logical.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to hold a Supreme Council meeting on August 24 to discuss the method of electing local committee chairs, whose terms end at the end of this month.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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