Seo Jungwook Says Mainstream Pro-Yoon Faction of People Power Party Decides to Back Jang Donghyuk for Party Leader

Seo Jungwook Raises Possibility of Pro-Yoon Faction Backing Jang Donghyuk for Party Leader
"Sentiment Against Former Presidential Candidates Running"
"Mainstream Backs Jang Donghyuk, Pro-Han Faction Chooses Cho Kyungtae"

There have been claims that the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) faction within the People Power Party has decided to support Assemblyman Jang Donghyuk as their candidate for party leader ahead of the party convention in August. Seo Jungwook, a lawyer known to be close to former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife, stated in an interview with 'YTN News FM Lee Ikseon Choi Sooyoung Issue & People' on the 8th, "Within the party mainstream, there is a sentiment that they do not want Kim Moonsu, Han Donghoon, Ahn Cheolsoo, or Na Kyungwon, all of whom have run for president, to run. That leaves only Assemblyman Jang Donghyuk. The mainstream has chosen Jang Donghyuk, while the pro-Han (Han Donghoon) faction has chosen Assemblyman Cho Kyungtae," he claimed.

The appearance of Assemblyman Jang Donghyuk during the election of the Supreme Council members of the People Power Party last year. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Seo added, "The party convention will be held on August 19 in Chungcheong Province. It is no coincidence that the convention is being held in Assemblyman Jang's constituency," and continued, "From the perspective of the mainstream, with all four former presidential candidates excluded, the only remaining card is Assemblyman Jang." He went on to say, "In the past, he was part of the pro-Han faction, but now he is considered a 'traitor' by them and is the most disliked. In particular, after joining 'Save Korea,' he emphasized the need to protect President Yoon." Seo further explained, "From the mainstream's perspective, Jang has served as the party's Secretary General, as a senior and Supreme Council member, has experience as a judge, and, being born in 1969, is considered young. Therefore, the mainstream is expected to push Jang Donghyuk as their candidate for the party convention."

He also stated, "The pro-Yoon faction cannot support Han Donghoon, Ahn Cheolsoo, or Kim Moonsu. The party leader this time needs to be a young figure who can also run in the next presidential election. That is why consensus has formed around Assemblyman Jang Donghyuk."

Regarding Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo's resignation as head of the Innovation Committee, Seo said, "With former leader Han Donghoon not running and Assemblyman Cho Kyungtae entering the race, Ahn likely thought he had a chance. It seems he thought being party leader was better than heading the Innovation Committee, but the party mainstream is expressing disappointment with Ahn." He further commented, "This is a political limitation of Ahn. He withdrew from the Innovation Committee for his own personal interests."

Assemblyman Cho Kyungtae, who has announced his intention to run for party leader, also strongly criticized Ahn's resignation as head of the Innovation Committee during an interview on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' on the 8th. Cho stated, "Ahn, like former President Yoon, lacks democratic thinking. Resigning suddenly without even holding a single meeting is an act that disregards procedural democracy."

However, regarding the so-called 'Ssangkwon' (Kwon Youngse and Kwon Seongdong), whom Ahn reportedly considered targets for personnel reform during his time as Innovation Committee head, Cho said, "No matter how correct their arguments may be, those who are strongly considered targets for personnel reform or removal lack credibility. Especially those who were classified as core members of the pro-Yoon faction should refrain from making any statements."