People Power Party Loses Conservative Agenda Again... The Dilemma of 'Blind Criticism'

Jang Donghyuk: "This Is War Now"
Tightening the Offensive Against the Administration
Lee's Successes in Tariff Negotiations and Nuclear Submarines Shift the Agenda
Focusing on "Opposition Suppression" and Livelihood Issues

Following the conclusion of the Korea-US tariff negotiations and the US approval for the construction of nuclear-powered submarines, the KOSPI index has continued to hit record highs. Analysts suggest that the conservative People Power Party is finding its political footing increasingly constrained. As the party intensifies its confrontational stance against the administration, it faces internal struggles, as it is neither easy to fully acknowledge the government's achievements in economic and security matters nor to criticize them indiscriminately.

People including Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, and Song Unseok, floor leader, are shouting slogans condemning 'opposition party oppression' at a party meeting held on the 4th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to political sources on November 4, the People Power Party is tightening its offensive against the administration by focusing less on the government-ruling party's diplomatic achievements and more on the so-called "trial suspension law" (the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act) and the special investigation into insurrection, which it claims are aimed at suppressing the opposition. At a party meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk declared, "It is time for the Lee Jaemyung administration to enter the tunnel," and emphasized, "This is now a war. If we do not fight, the people will not fight either."

The renewed offensive by the People Power Party is attributed to a sense of crisis triggered by the government's recent achievements. During the Korea-US summit held at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, President Lee Jaemyung managed to conclude the long-stalled Korea-US tariff negotiations. In addition, an agreement was reached to build nuclear-powered submarines at a US shipyard in Philadelphia, addressing a long-standing aspiration of the South Korean military. The unexpected nature of these achievements has left some in the People Power Party, who had hoped for a rebound in approval ratings based on government and ruling party missteps, feeling somewhat unsettled.

Regarding the Korea-US tariff negotiations, the People Power Party has criticized the absence of a joint statement or press conference between the two countries, labeling it "blank diplomacy." At the previous day's Supreme Council meeting, Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "There are concerns that up to 350 billion dollars of taxpayers' money may be transferred to the United States as investments under this agreement," and added, "We once again urge the government to disclose the results of the negotiations transparently before the public." The party is expected to refuse National Assembly ratification and further politicize the issue until a joint fact sheet is released regarding the tariff negotiations.

The party has also downplayed the nuclear-powered submarine agreement. Sung Iljong, a member of the People Power Party and chair of the National Defense Committee, wrote on Facebook, "In effect, this means the United States will sell us nuclear-powered submarines it has built," and pointed out, "We are a country with the technology to build nuclear-powered submarines, yet we are now set to purchase and use American ones." He added, "Stronger negotiating power should have been exercised," and called it "a diplomatic failure."

However, some in political circles have criticized the People Power Party for focusing solely on hardline confrontation without presenting clear alternatives on livelihood and policy issues. Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, who has often taken a critical stance against the government and ruling party, offered a relatively positive assessment of President Lee, saying, "He showed personal change on the diplomatic stage," and, "This negotiation can be considered the best possible outcome under the given circumstances, but those 'given circumstances' themselves were never favorable to us."

On the 3rd, the KOSPI index and others were displayed on the electronic billboard at the Korea Exchange PR Center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The recent surge of the KOSPI, which surpassed the 4,200 mark for the first time during trading hours, is also a source of pressure for the People Power Party. The party had previously criticized the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) and the Commercial Act amendment, both passed in plenary sessions led by the government and ruling party, as anti-business. However, the KOSPI's strong rally has somewhat weakened the impact of these criticisms. A key official from the party's parliamentary group commented, "The bubble may burst when the true nature of the government and ruling party is revealed," and added, "It is still too early to judge."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party has faced additional setbacks, such as the request for an arrest warrant for former floor leader Choo Kyungho by the special counsel investigating the insurrection. The party leadership is expected to continue emphasizing the "opposition party oppression" narrative for the time being, while also highlighting government and ruling party missteps, such as real estate policies. At the same time, the party is likely to focus on regaining its traditional conservative agenda of "economy and livelihoods" by holding a series of meetings with leaders of major economic organizations and discussing tariff negotiations and measures to support businesses.