Both Party Leaders Take Hardline Stances
Jung Chungrae: "People Power Party Should Be Dissolved"
Jang Donghyuk Declares Anti-Government Struggle
With the election of Assemblyman Jang Donghyuk, a staunch anti-impeachment hardliner (opposed to the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol), as leader of the People Power Party on August 26, an intense confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties has become inevitable. The counterpart, Jung Chungrae, leader of the Democratic Party, has consistently labeled the People Power Party as a "party of insurrection" and refused communication, suggesting that the rift between the two sides is likely to deepen.
Jang Donghyuk, the newly elected leader who won the 6th People Power Party Convention, is expressing his thoughts at a press conference held on the 26th in the People Power Party leader's meeting room at the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News
According to political circles on August 27, in his acceptance speech the previous day, Leader Jang declared, "I will dedicate everything I have to unite with all conservative citizens and bring down the Lee Jaemyung administration," signaling a strong campaign against the government.
Leader Jang has criticized those advocating for "crossing the river of impeachment" as "internal saboteurs," and, as a core figure in the so-called "Yoon Sukyeol Again" faction, has received support from Jeon Hangil, a former Korean history lecturer. He is regarded as the most hardline among the anti-impeachment camp.
This stance by Leader Jang is seen as a complete contrast to Leader Jung, who has maintained a hardline position, repeatedly stating, "The People Power Party is a party directly involved in insurrection and deserves to be dissolved ten or a hundred times over." Park Soohyun, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, harshly criticized Jang's election, saying in a commentary, "It is difficult to offer even a customary congratulation." Han Minsoo, a Democratic Party lawmaker and chief of staff to Leader Jung, also criticized, "The worst candidate has become the People Power Party leader. The main opposition party, once the ruling party, has been taken over by the far right."
There are already concerns that the two leaders will engage in extreme confrontational politics, to the point where they may not even shake hands, let alone enjoy a honeymoon period.
During the regular National Assembly session in September, fierce clashes between the ruling and opposition parties are expected on every major issue. The Democratic Party plans to push through amendments to the so-called "stronger three special prosecutor bills," which would expand the number of special prosecutors and the scope of investigations. The People Power Party strongly opposes this, viewing it as a de facto attempt to suppress the opposition ahead of the local elections in June next year.
The Democratic Party is also driving legislative efforts for prosecution, judicial, and media reforms, while the People Power Party has made its opposition to these measures clear.
A minefield of issues awaits, including the budget review and confirmation hearings for the Minister of Education and the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, with extreme clashes between the ruling and opposition parties expected on each matter.
However, there is some hope for dialogue between the parties, as President Lee Jaemyung recently remarked, "It is only natural to engage in discussions when an opposition leader is elected," and Leader Jang responded "yes" when asked in an OX question whether he would reach out to Leader Jung Chungrae first.
Meanwhile, following Jang's election, the People Power Party has entered full-scale preparations for the local elections. Leader Jang emphasized, "We will launch the Local Election Preparation Task Force as soon as possible," and added, "We will do our utmost to achieve victory in the local elections and build a stronger opposition and a new People Power Party." The Democratic Party also launched its own Local Election Task Force and held its first meeting on the same day to discuss candidate nomination plans and other strategies.
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