People's Party Supreme Council Member 'Controversy'... Yoon Core Faction Kwon Seong-dong & Jang Je-won's Power Division?

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As the ruling party People Power Party and the People Party merge, a fierce dispute has continued over the two supreme councilor seats allocated to the People Party, causing a power split between the two top "Yunhakkwan (key aides of President Yoon Seok-yeol)" figures: Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong and Assemblyman Jang Je-won. Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo had earlier recommended former People Party Seoul City Party Chairman Kim Yoon and People Power Party Assemblyman Jeong Jeong-sik as supreme councilors for the People Party quota. Speculation has arisen that the influence of Yunhakkwan played a role in Ahn’s recommendation of a current People Power Party assemblyman. Opposing this supreme councilor appointment, Floor Leader Kwon has parted ways with Assemblyman Jang, making it inevitable for him to strategically align with Representative Lee Jun-seok.

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Ahn explained that his reason for recommending Assemblyman Jeong as a supreme councilor was a "gesture of harmony." On the 14th, after a party meeting, Ahn told reporters, "Insisting only on People Party members is not desirable for harmony." Regarding his recommendation, Ahn said, "Through several communications, I know him to be a very reasonable person." However, in political circles, doubts have been raised about the background of this appointment since there is little known common ground between Ahn and Jeong.

Notably, Assemblyman Jeong was previously criticized amid the so-called "report solicitation" allegations, where President Yoon, during his time as Prosecutor General, was accused of soliciting reports through the party. Jeong, who was then head of the legal support team, sent the actual complaint to the party audit office and was identified as part of the distribution route of the draft complaint, leading to a search and seizure by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. A People Power Party official said, "Considering the background, it is inevitable to conclude that Yunhakkwan designated him."

This situation was anticipated when Floor Leader Kwon blocked the "Dandelion Meeting," which had become controversial for Yunhakkwan factionalization. When the meeting proposed to go beyond study sessions to discuss party-government relations, Kwon immediately expressed opposition. Assemblyman Jang welcomed and intended to participate in the meeting, but withdrew after Kwon publicly opposed it. After the Dandelion Meeting, Kwon is evaluated to have strengthened his position within the party.

Jang Je-won, Chief of Staff to the President-elect, is answering reporters' questions in front of the transition office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 5th. Photo by Transition Office Press Corps

However, Floor Leader Kwon and Representative Lee drew a clear line, saying they only discuss matters as leadership and nothing beyond that. On the same day, People Power Party Representative Lee Jun-seok appeared on YTN Radio and said, "The party leader and floor leader always coordinate closely on many matters," adding, "Because we always discuss and act on various issues, it might give such an impression, but it is nonsense to say we are forming a cartel to oppose other personnel. The leadership has no reason to do so."