Building Young Leadership with Minimal Factional Influence
Focus on the Remaining Supreme Council Appointment
Diverse Opinions on Balancing Hardliners and Moderates
There is growing interest in the political sphere regarding the "final piece of the puzzle" under the leadership of Jang Donghyuk, head of the People Power Party. While the overall assessment has been positive due to the appointment of figures with minimal factional affiliations, the position of Supreme Council member, which is directly appointed by the party leader and strongly reflects his personal vision, still remains unfilled. As various opinions emerge regarding the remaining appointments, it appears that Jang will continue to deliberate over his choices.
According to political circles on September 12, the remaining appointments following Jang's inauguration are the Supreme Council member by nomination and the head of the Yeouido Institute. With the appointment of Assemblyman Seo Chunho (first-term) as the new Vice President for Strategic Planning and Assemblyman Kang Myeonggu (first-term) as Vice President for Organization the previous day, the selection process is now nearing completion.
Both inside and outside the party, attention is focused on the remaining Supreme Council member by nomination. Since this position is personally selected by Jang, it is expected to clearly reflect the party leader's vision. Observers note that this will provide a clear indication of Jang's political direction, especially after he shifted from a hardline stance during the party convention to a more moderate tone following his inauguration.
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, and Song Eonseok, floor leader, along with other leadership members, are attending the discussion on the 100-day failure of the Lee Jae-myung administration held at the National Assembly on September 12, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Reflecting the high level of interest, Jang continues to deliberate over his decision. A member of the party leadership stated in a phone interview, "The leadership's messaging is solid, so there is no need to rush to fill the position," adding, "(Jang) believes that the best candidate who can fulfill the role most effectively should be brought in."
There are two main reasons for the ongoing deliberation. First, the bar has been raised due to the positive evaluations of the appointments so far. Contrary to concerns that he would favor right-leaning figures, Jang has formed the leadership team with individuals who have minimal factional affiliations. Kim Doeup, the Policy Committee Chair, is a prime example. He served as Policy Committee Chair under former leader Lee Junseok and is one of only five out of seventeen People Power Party lawmakers from Busan who did not sign the petition related to the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol.
Jang has also been praised for actively appointing first- and second-term lawmakers, thereby establishing "young leadership." Analysts say that by placing individuals who have previously worked closely with him, Jang has enhanced operational efficiency. Jeong Heeyong, Secretary General (second-term), has worked alongside Jang in the floor leadership teams of Joo Hoeyoung, Yoon Jaeok, and Chu Kyungho, and is regarded as someone with a deep understanding of party affairs. Park Juntae, Chief of Staff (first-term), provided behind-the-scenes support for Jang during the party convention and served as head of strategic planning and general situation room during the last presidential election.
After confirming Jang's flexibility, a variety of opinions have emerged within the party regarding the appointment of the Supreme Council member by nomination. Some argue that, in order to respond more proactively to next year's local elections, the appointment should bridge various factions, including the pro-Han Donghoon group. One member of the pro-Han group stated, "If we keep the local elections in mind, we need a more unconventional appointment targeting centrists, the capital region, and young people." There are also predictions that the concerns of hardline party members cannot be ignored. This is because dissatisfaction from the hardline base over moderate appointments cannot be dismissed. A senior People Power Party lawmaker commented, "To unite both hardliners and moderates, a highly sophisticated political strategy is required," adding, "It remains to be seen how this challenge will be addressed going forward."
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