Yang Hyangja Shifts to Supreme Council Bid: "Will Block a Yoon-Again Leadership"

On July 31, Yang Hyangja, former lawmaker who had previously announced her candidacy for the People Power Party’s 8·22 national convention party leader election, shifted her course and declared her candidacy for the position of Supreme Council member. Yang, who is considered a reformist, explained that as figures from the anti-reform faction are highly likely to win the party leadership, she intends to serve as a Supreme Council member to keep the next party leader’s extreme actions in check.

In her announcement on the same day, Yang stated, "The national convention, which was supposed to overcome the party's crisis, is now facing an even greater crisis," and added, "I am running for Supreme Council member to prevent the division of the People Power Party."

Former lawmaker Yang Hyangja, who declared her candidacy for the People Power Party leadership, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at her office in Yeouido, Seoul on July 31, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

She explained her decision by saying, "There are fewer and fewer media outlets predicting the victory of a reformist party leader. In the Supreme Council election, a large number of candidates labeled as far-right have registered."

Yang continued, "Even if a reformist party leader is elected under these circumstances, they would only be a figurehead," and warned, "It has gone beyond the point where reform is impossible; under the current party rules, anti-reform Supreme Council members could oust the party leader and dismantle the leadership."

She specifically criticized the situation where hardline conservative figures such as former Supreme Council member Ryu Yeohae and attorney Kim Soyeon are running for the Supreme Council. Yang pointed out, "There are no incumbent reformist lawmakers in sight," and added, "Some interpret this as waiting for a split in the party following the far-right shift of the leadership and the failure of reform." Ryu Yeohae was previously expelled by the party’s ethics committee in 2017 for slandering former party leader Hong Joonpyo. Attorney Kim Soyeon has served as the legal representative for Myung Taegyun, a key figure in the alleged nomination interference involving former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife.

Yang pledged, "I will become the chief Supreme Council member and prevent any possible coup by the Supreme Council," and added, "I will assist the party leader and stand at the forefront of the era to lead the reforms the people desire."

She further appealed, "Please join me so that the People Power Party we love is not taken over and isolated by a handful of extreme forces."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party is accepting registrations for party leader and Supreme Council member candidates for the national convention until the end of the day. With Yang’s candidacy for Supreme Council member, the party leader race has become a five-way competition among former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, lawmakers Ahn Cheolsoo, Jang Donghyuk, Cho Kyungtae, and Joo Jinwoo. For the Supreme Council, Yang Hyangja, lawmaker Shin Dongwook, attorney Kim Soyeon, former Supreme Council member Ryu Yeohae, Kim Geunsik (head of the Songpa-byeong district party committee in Seoul), former spokesperson Kim Minsu, former Supreme Council member Kim Jaewon, former Gangseo-gu mayor in Seoul Kim Taewoo, Son Beomgyu (head of the Namdong-gap district party committee in Incheon), attorney Jang Youngha, and Ham Unkyung (head of the Mapo-eul district party committee in Seoul) have announced their intention to run.