Jang Je-won Targets Two Leaders: "Joo Ho-young Said Unnecessary Things... Chung Jin-seok's 'Candidate Guidelines' Also Inappropriate"

'Minister Han Dong-hoon's Draft Proposal' Denied: "Our President Has No Such Thought"
On 'Kimjang Solidarity' Question: "Is It Kimjang Season These Days?"
On Pro-Chun Faction Meeting View: "How Can This Be a Faction Meeting?" Replied

Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party, is attending the study group 'Gukmin Gonggam' held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Geum Bo-ryeong] Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party who attended the first event of the pro-Yoon (친윤) study group 'Gukmin Gonggam' (National Sympathy), directly criticized Floor Leader Joo Ho-young, who recently raised the issue of an 'MZ Generation and Capital Region' party leadership candidacy, saying, "He said something unnecessary." He also expressed discomfort toward Emergency Response Committee Chairman Chung Jin-seok, saying it was "inappropriate" to talk about 'candidate guidelines.'

After attending the 'Gukmin Gonggam' event held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 7th, Rep. Jang told reporters, "I don't understand the intention behind Floor Leader Joo's remarks."

He said, "There are so many pressing issues in the National Assembly, such as the budget settlement and the intertwined issue of the state audit, yet he unnecessarily made such remarks. Our party's image keeps shrinking. I don't know why he said that."

On the 3rd, Floor Leader Joo, during a meeting with local media in Daegu, mentioned major party leadership candidates within the party and said he was 'not satisfied' with them. This led to analysis that his remarks might contain 'Yoon's sentiment.' However, Rep. Jang dismissed this, saying, "'Not satisfied' is a phrase that the media interpreted as containing 'Yoon's sentiment,' but I believe our president would not say such things about our party's leadership candidates."

He also criticized Emergency Response Committee Chairman Chung, who co-leads the party with Floor Leader Joo, saying, "I think it is inappropriate for the Emergency Response Committee Chairman to talk about various candidate guidelines or standards. It is not right for the person overseeing the leadership election to set the standards. Because of such remarks, the idea of drafting Minister Han Dong-hoon, who is known for his competence, has surfaced."

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, and Jang Je-won attended the study group "National Sympathy" held at the National Assembly on the 7th and exchanged greetings. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Regarding the rapidly emerging theory of drafting Minister Han, who is associated with the 'MZ Generation and Capital Region' party leadership candidacy, he emphasized, "I believe our president has absolutely no such intention."

The meeting attracted attention as Rep. Kwon Seong-dong, also belonging to the pro-Yoon faction within the party, attended. Regarding the view that Gukmin Gonggam is a 'factional meeting,' Rep. Jang dismissed it, saying, "Is it a factional meeting just because 70 lawmakers gathered? I think today's launch overcame such criticisms of being a factional meeting."

He stressed, "The lawmakers sat passionately until the end studying. How can this be a factional meeting? It will develop into a study group that firmly shares and discusses the direction the Yoon Seok-yeol government wants to go, integrating the party and the Yoon administration."

Regarding the recent meeting with Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, one of the next party leadership candidates, and the talk of a 'Kim-Jang alliance,' he joked, "Is it kimjang (cabbage-picking season) these days?" but added, "Once the primary rules are established and the schedule for the primary and party convention is announced, there will be opportunities to talk about it gradually." When asked if Rep. Kim has been 'cleared' as the next party leader, he dismissed it, saying, "Don't get ahead of yourself."