Kang Jeonae x Kim Junil: "Jang Donghyeok's Leadership May Not Last Much Longer at This Rate" [Current Affairs Show]

Kang Jeonae: "Representative Jang Donghyeok Must Change"
Kim Junil: "Jang Donghyeok Is Becoming a 'Little Yoon Sukyeol'"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show' (Mon-Fri, 4-5 PM)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Director: Producer Lee Kyungdo

■ Guests: Kang Jeonae, former spokesperson for the People Power Party; Kim Junil, current affairs commentator (December 3)

So Jongseop: The People Power Party has released messages marking the first anniversary of martial law, but I think the public might find them confusing. Representative Jang Donghyeok issued a message that seemed to defend martial law, saying it was to counter parliamentary tyranny. On the other hand, Floor Leader Song Wonseok issued a sincere apology, and former leader Han Donghoon also released an apology.

Kang Jeonae: Floor Leader Song Wonseok issued an apology, and in that message, he said that all People Power Party lawmakers were sorry and apologized. Jang Donghyeok is also one of the lawmakers. However, Jang Donghyeok's message only stated that martial law was to counter parliamentary tyranny. He reiterated the point made by the Constitutional Court regarding the Democratic Party's runaway actions. Former President Yoon Sukyeol has also consistently made this claim. Last week, Jang Donghyeok spoke about this verbally in the provinces, but this time he released it as an official message.

This is something that happened in the past. Now, the question is about the future direction of the People Power Party. As the leading conservative party in Korea, the party leader should present a vision for where to go from here, but there has not been a proper answer. In fact, today marks 100 days since he was elected party leader at the party convention. In this context, a more responsible message should have been delivered. Personally, I find it very disappointing.

As a result, apology messages are pouring in, especially from first- and second-term lawmakers. I believe this situation will continue for a while.There are certainly aspects where the public may think, 'They never apologize or reflect on their actions.'That is why I believe Representative Jang Donghyeok himself needs to show more willingness to change.

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So Jongseop: Confusing messages and the lack of a unified stance from the People Power Party seem to persist even after a year.

Kim Junil: The Democratic Party might be secretly cheering for Jang Donghyeok, thinking, 'Hang in there, Jang Donghyeok!' Today, 25 People Power Party lawmakers jointly issued an apology statement. It's no longer just the so-called pro-Han faction. Ahn Cheolsoo, Kim Sungwon, Song Seokjun, Shin Sungbeom, Choi Hyungdoo, Kwon Youngjin, Cho Eunhee...This cannot be seen as just the voice of the pro-Han faction.Moreover, Floor Leader Song Wonseok apologized. Lawmaker Kwon Youngse also posted on Facebook, saying, 'The declaration of martial law was an unacceptable choice, and as a senior member of the ruling party, I have no excuse for not preventing it.' While the tone and level of the apologies differ, everyone except Jang Donghyeok has apologized. What is the party leader going to do now? From what I see, he might be ousted in this situation.

Do you know how many interim leaders the People Power Party has had since changing its name in 2020? Eight. In five years, there have been eight interim leaders. Do you know how many party leaders? Four. The party is more accustomed to interim leadership. This party is always embroiled in power struggles, ousting and appointing new leaders. They avoided taking responsibility themselves and put Jang Donghyeok forward as a proxy, ultimately blocking Han Donghoon from gaining power. If things go badly, they'll find a way to oust him again. In my view, his time is running out. With everyone except Jang Donghyeok taking this stance, he is isolated.

Representative Jang Donghyeok Must Decide to Change Quickly

Kang Jeonae: Since the party leader was elected through the party convention, for what you described to happen, there would need to be resignations from the Supreme Council, as happened during Han Donghoon's tenure. But we'll have to wait and see. The public must feel very frustrated, and even though the Democratic Party is acting out of control, public opinion polls show that the People Power Party is stagnant.

With local elections coming up next year, it's time for deep reflection. However, I believe Representative Jang Donghyeok is aware of this.If he fails to win the local elections next year, he surely knows what that means for his political career. Ultimately, he needs to deliver messages that can appeal to the center, and he must know that he himself needs to change to achieve that. He seems to be deeply troubled, but I think he needs to make a decision quickly. As the local elections approach, the situation is heating up, especially among those planning to run.

So Jongseop: Is it possible for change within Jang Donghyeok's leadership to emerge internally?

Kang Jeonae: The leader himself will have no choice but to make a decision. I believe he is considering it.

Kim Junil: A decision to step down?

So Jongseop: Or the possibility of change.

Kang Jeonae: When apology messages are issued, the public may initially dismiss them as mere election rhetoric. They may not see them as sincere.He promised to visit Gwangju every month, but I wonder if his current actions truly reflect that commitment.

So Jongseop: What do you think about the possibility of change under Jang Donghyeok and its actual political impact if it happens?

Representative Jang Is Moving One Degree to the Right Each Day

Kim Junil: When he was first elected, he said he would move one degree to the left each day. But now, instead of moving left, he's moving one degree to the right each day. Politicians are allowed to change, but flip-flopping severely undermines trust. When we saw Hwang Kyo-ahn suddenly go to Gwangju, it raised similar questions. Is this a trustworthy politician? In the end, neither side trusts him, and after much deliberation, he keeps making poor moves.Whether the People Power Party apologizes or not, the public is just watching with folded arms.Even if they sincerely apologize, it takes time for people who have experienced such shocking events to heal.But with Representative Jang Donghyeok acting this way, the People Power Party's period of suffering will inevitably be prolonged.Whatever they do, the public is indifferent; that's the current situation.

Kang Jeonae: Personally, I hope the vacant appointed Supreme Council member position is filled. If Representative Jang makes some statements and appoints someone who the public sees as a sign of change, that might not be a bad idea.Some change is needed, but the way things are going now is rather embarrassing.

The Opposition Must Stand Firm to Keep the Government in Check

Kim Junil: From what I see, Representative Jang Donghyeok is turning into a 'Little Yoon Sukyeol.' What I mean is, he drinks a lot. From what I've heard, he often drinks with the youngest reporters at the National Assembly. He tends to avoid people who criticize him and usually eats with Supreme Council member Kim Minsu or Chief of Staff Park Juntae.He also reportedly complains about the major conservative newspapers. Yoon Sukyeol was the same. He believes the answer lies in YouTube, which is another similarity.He really needs to wake up.The opposition must function properly to keep the Democratic Party government in check.If Representative Jang Donghyeok continues like this, who will pay attention to the party's message?