Despite Efforts to Contain Fallout from Jang Donghyuk's Visit to Yoon, Internal Discord and Ruling Party Attacks Persist

Mentioned at Closed-Door People Power Party Leadership Meeting
Criticism: "Handed a Weapon to the Democratic Party During Audit Battle"
Some Defend Jang: "A Promise That Had to Be Kept Eventually"
Democratic Party: "A Second Incitement to Rebellion and Destruction of Constitutional Order"

Discord continues within the People Power Party over leader Jang Donghyuk's visit to former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is currently incarcerated. While the party leadership is cautious about escalating the issue during the ongoing National Assembly audit, the Democratic Party is reigniting its offensive, calling it a "second incitement to rebellion."

According to political sources on October 20, Jang's visit to the former president was discussed at a closed-door Supreme Council meeting of the People Power Party. Jang briefly explained the background of his visit, and various opinions were reportedly expressed regarding its appropriateness and timing. Choi Boyoon, the party's chief spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, "Jang's attitude has not changed; he simply fulfilled his promise made before the party leadership election to visit the former president," adding, "There was a brief explanation regarding this."

Jang Donghyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on October 20, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Jang met with former President Yoon for about 10 minutes in a general visitation format, accompanied by Kim Minsu, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party. Although the meeting was not on Jang's official schedule, he personally announced it through social media. On SNS, he wrote, "On the morning of the 17th, I visited President Yoon," and added, "Let us unite and fight together to save the free Republic of Korea from collapsing under the leftist regime." As Jang had promised to visit Yoon during the party convention, his move is interpreted as an effort to rally the hardline conservative base while emphasizing that the visit was conducted in a personal capacity to minimize controversy.

One Supreme Council member, in a phone call, pointed out, "There was concern within the leadership about the lack of prior discussion," and added, "Although it's not something to be publicized, the fact that he went with a Supreme Council member known for a far-right image has already caused internal fissures."

There has also been backlash within the party. The visit provided the ruling party with grounds for counterattack at a time when the People Power Party was intensifying its offensive over the October 15 real estate measures and the National Assembly audit testimony of Kim Hyunji, the first secretary to the president. Critics argue that this undermined the party's efforts to solidify its image as a party focused on people's livelihoods by proposing alternative policies through special task forces such as the Real Estate Normalization Task Force.

A lawmaker aligned with Han Donghoon commented, "It's as if we handed a weapon to the opposition in the middle of the audit battle," and questioned, "I don't understand why he chose to stir up internal conflict at this particular moment." Kim Jaeseop, considered part of the party's reformist wing, criticized Jang in the party's Telegram chatroom on October 19, stating, "Cracks are forming in the Lee Jaemyung administration over issues like real estate and tariffs, and our lawmakers are fighting together," adding, "As party leader, this was an irresponsible and inappropriate action."

On the other hand, some voices are defending Jang, arguing that it was a promise he, as a politician, was bound to keep at some point. A senior party official said, "The party's approval rating has been stagnant because the base has not fully united," and evaluated, "Rather than breaking the promise made at the party convention and facing consequences during the local elections, it's better to address it now and move on."

There are also moves to prevent the issue from escalating. Kim Jaewon, a Supreme Council member, said on YTN Radio, "There are many who disagree that a personal visit to former President Yoon would drag the party down," adding, "I do not agree with the severe criticisms being made." Kim Minsu, another Supreme Council member, also urged party members who criticized the visit on social media to direct their fire outward, not inward. He said, "I hope our lawmakers will stop these 'irresponsible and inappropriate actions' that ignore the will of the party members," and added, "If you have any energy left, direct it at the Democratic Party, which is trying to dismantle the free Republic of Korea."

The Democratic Party strongly criticized the People Power Party, even mentioning the "dissolution of unconstitutional parties." Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "For the leader of a major party to cheer for the main culprit of rebellion is a serious betrayal of the people," and added, "Instead of reflecting on their past collusion with rebellion, are they now conspiring with rebel forces to plot another martial law? This is a second incitement to rebellion and an attempt to destroy constitutional order."