People Power Party's "Self-Reliance" Debate Reignites After Lee Hyehun's Nomination... Growing Calls for "Change" Within the Party

Lee Hyehun's Departure as an Unexpected Variable for "Yoon Again"
A Test for Jang Donghyuk's Leadership

After President Lee Jaemyung nominated former lawmaker Lee Hyehun, who was previously affiliated with the People Power Party, as the inaugural Minister of Planning and Budget, calls for self-reliance have reignited within the People Power Party.

The People Power Party immediately expelled Lee from the party upon her nomination as minister and labeled her a "traitor," expressing strong regret. On December 29, Party Leader Jang Donghyuk stated, "Decisive action is needed against those who betray the party and hurt the feelings of our members. These incidents occur because we have failed to properly address those lacking party loyalty or engaging in conduct against the party."

Lee Hyehun, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, is arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Jung-gu, Seoul on December 29, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The harsh criticism continued on December 30. Shin Dongwook, Senior Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyunjung's News Show" and pointed out procedural issues with Lee's appointment, saying, "This is an unacceptable act of double-dealing in terms of political ethics. It is nothing more or less than a stab in the back." Sung Iljong, another lawmaker from the People Power Party, said on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus" that "(Former lawmaker Lee) sold her philosophy and political convictions out of a desire for office."

While the party leadership is calling for a "restoration of party loyalty," there is a growing sense of crisis among first- and second-term lawmakers ahead of the local elections scheduled for June 3 next year. Lee Seongkwon, secretary of the study group for second-term lawmakers, met with reporters after a gathering of first- and second-term lawmakers and commented, "Her actions are inappropriate for a three-term lawmaker," but added, "Those in the moderate conservative camp who join the current administration must engage in self-reflection and reconsider their choices."

One first-term lawmaker from the People Power Party remarked, "Former lawmaker Lee was considered someone who was more loyal to the party than anyone else. If even such a person has left the party, on what basis can we now judge party loyalty?"