People Power Party Faces Fallout After Policy Committee Chairman Resigns: "Signal for Reform" vs. "Mere Stopgap"

Signs of Intensifying Factional Strife Following Kim Doeup's Resignation
Focus on Jang Donghyeok's Reform Plan... Will the Fallout Affect the Party?

With Kim Doeup of the People Power Party stepping down as chairman of the party’s Policy Committee on the 5th, there has been a shift in the leadership structure under Representative Jang Donghyeok. Despite the resignation of a key party official, the prevailing view is that the “Jang Donghyeok leadership” will continue its current strategy of rallying its support base. However, there are also predictions that Kim’s resignation could, in some form, lead to a change in the party’s political direction.

Kim Doeup, a member of the People Power Party, is leaving the position of Chairman of the Party Policy Committee at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on January 5, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Kim stated, “I understand that Representative Jang is preparing measures for change and reform within the party. My role ends here,” as he stepped down from his position. Kim had previously been at odds with Representative Jang over issues such as apologies regarding martial law and alliances within the conservative bloc.

Kim, who has enjoyed strong trust and a reputation for rationality within the party, resigned ahead of the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3. This has created a sense of unease within the party, with members unable to hide their surprise.

One senior lawmaker commented, “The Policy Committee is a crucial body overseeing campaign pledges, so it is unsettling for the chairman to resign so suddenly with the local elections just around the corner.” The chairman of the Policy Committee is a key position responsible for setting the party’s policy direction and leading discussions on election pledges.

Nevertheless, there are expectations that the party leadership will maintain its hardline stance as its local election strategy, even after Kim’s resignation. Joo Hoeyoung, a six-term veteran and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, said on SBS Radio’s “Kim Taehyun’s Political Show” on the 6th, “Looking at the circumstances surrounding Kim’s resignation, I am half hopeful and half concerned that nothing substantial will change and it will end up as a stopgap measure. The party must truly read and follow public sentiment.”

One first-term lawmaker remarked, “Representative Jang only nods and smiles in front of others, but in hindsight, nothing has actually changed. I do not have high expectations for the reform plan that will be released soon.”

On the other hand, another senior lawmaker offered a different perspective, saying, “With the resignations of Kim and In Yo-han, the party leadership will likely pursue both a policy shift and personnel reform. The significance of lawmakers stepping down will be fully reflected in the announcement of a genuine reform plan.” It is also noteworthy that Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon and People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo held a dinner meeting that day to discuss party reform and strategies for broadening its appeal.