Heightened Tensions in Opposition After Kwon Seongdong's Arrest... Jang Donghyuk: "An Era Where Being in the Opposition Is a Crime"

Street Protest in Daegu This Weekend... First in 5 Years and 8 Months
Concerns Over Backlash Remain, but No Alternative Amid Ruling Party Pressure

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the government and the ruling party on the 17th, stating, "The ultimate goal of destroying the Constitution through legislation, suppressing the opposition through a special prosecutor, and pushing an unreasonable party dissolution narrative is, in the end, constitutional amendment for long-term rule." He announced plans to launch a full-scale protest, starting with a large rally in Daegu on September 21. Amid heightened crisis within the opposition following the issuance of an arrest warrant for People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seongdong and the special prosecutor's investigation, the party has decided to take to the streets in an all-out response.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is answering questions related to current issues such as the arrest of lawmaker Kwon Seongdong at a press briefing held at the National Assembly on September 17, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly that morning, Jang said, "The Democratic Party is forcing the establishment of a special tribunal for insurrection, demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice, seeking to dismantle the People Power Party through fast-track trials, and arresting our lawmakers through investigations driven by public opinion. We will engage in deeper reflection on how we should fight against all these issues."

As a first step, the People Power Party will stage a street protest at Dongdaegu Station at 2 p.m. on September 21. This will be the party's first large-scale rally in five years and eight months, since January 2020 when they protested the forced passage of the Public Official Election Act. The choice of Daegu over Seoul is interpreted as an effort to maximize the mobilization of conservative supporters. Jang explained, "We are planning a series of on-site activities moving from Busan toward the Seoul metropolitan area. As part of this, we held a top-level meeting in Busan, are planning one in the Chungcheong region, and have scheduled the rally in Daegu."

With the court issuing an arrest warrant for lawmaker Kwon Seongdong at the request of the special prosecutor team led by Kim Keonhee, investigations targeting the People Power Party, including the special prosecutor teams for insurrection and the death of a Marine, are expected to accelerate. While the party maintains that "the arrest of Kwon and other special prosecutor investigations are unrelated," there is a heightened sense of crisis internally. Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, described Kwon's arrest as "utterly devastating," adding, "We are fighting to protect the independence of the judiciary with the People Power Party at the center, but instead, the judiciary has collapsed." Jang also remarked, "These days, simply being in the opposition is treated as a crime."

The People Power Party plans to amplify its criticism of the government's and the ruling party's judicial reforms, pressure for Chief Justice Cho Heedae's resignation, and push for constitutional amendment through these street protests. However, there are concerns within and outside the opposition about the risks of such demonstrations. The participation of far-right groups could reinforce an image of insurrection and even provoke a public backlash. There are also practical challenges, such as mobilizing enough participants. A party official commented, "Some question whether street protests will have any real effect, but we have no other choice."