Growing Discord in People Power Party... Will Jang Donghyuk Calm Tensions with a "Listening Mode"?

Adjusting the Pace Amid Growing Internal Discord
Luncheons and Tea Times with First-Term and Re-Elected Lawmakers

The hardline stance of the People Power Party leadership has led to growing internal discord, prompting party leader Jang Donghyuk to shift into "listening" mode. As even senior members formerly aligned with Yoon Suk-yeol, as well as lawmakers from the Daegu and North Gyeongsang (TK) regions, began voicing concerns, it is being interpreted as a move to adjust the party's pace.

According to the People Power Party on December 8, Jang Donghyuk will begin holding small-group luncheons and tea times with senior, first-term, and re-elected lawmakers to gather opinions on the party's current situation. Jang's decision to listen to party members comes as internal discord has become increasingly serious. Even lawmakers who had previously remained silent are now raising their voices, saying, "We can't go on like this," as Yoon Han-hong, formerly a key member of the pro-Yoon faction, and Kwon Young-jin, a Daegu constituency lawmaker, have both called for a break from the faction aligned with former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Within the party, there is significant concern that the People Power Party's approval ratings have not rebounded despite a series of controversies, such as the decision to drop the Daejang-dong appeal and the personnel solicitation scandal involving former Presidential Office Digital Communications Secretary Kim Namguk. A key figure in the parliamentary group said in a phone call, "We are really working hard to break apart the Lee Jaemyung administration, but the results are not matching our efforts," adding, "There are many who believe that, at this point, we need to revise our strategy."

With six months remaining until the local elections, some analysts suggest that Jang Donghyuk may seek to broaden the party's appeal to the political center. On this day, the People Power Party's Policy Committee held the first session of its policy debate series titled "Asking the Youth - Don't You Dislike Today's Labor Policies?" The debate addressed key issues such as the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) promoted by the government and ruling party, the discussion on banning early-morning deliveries, and the labor policy structure centered around the two major labor unions.