"Flat Cola" vs "No One Is Satisfied with the First Bite"... Mixed Reactions to Jang Donghyuk's Reform Plan

"Half-Measures Without Severing Ties With Yoon... Still Stuck on Martial Law"
"Hope the Will for Unity and Change Is Recognized... Worth Watching"

With five months remaining until the 9th nationwide local elections, the People Power Party has launched a major shift in direction. For the first time since taking office, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, issued a public apology and acknowledged wrongdoing regarding the December 3 Martial Law. This has sparked ongoing debate within the party.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is announcing the party reform plan at an emergency press conference held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on January 7, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On January 7, Jang announced a set of reform measures that included intentions to broaden the party’s base and change its name. However, there has been disappointment among conservative opposition circles that the statement did not include a clear message of severing ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol and other supporters of martial law, which had been a major point of interest.

Han Donghun, former leader of the People Power Party, said on a YouTube channel, “It is certainly right to say we must overcome martial law,” but added, “What matters is whether we actually put this into practice.” He further emphasized, “We need to break away from former President Yoon. If we still fail to do that, we cannot move on to the next chapter.”

Han Jia, a People Power Party lawmaker aligned with the pro-Yoon faction, appeared on BBS Radio on January 8 and said, “It is very disappointing that there was no message about cutting ties with former President Yoon. I feel as though we have only made it halfway across the river of martial law.” The previous day, on CPBC Radio, she criticized Jang’s statement, saying, “He should have simply said, ‘We were wrong,’ without any qualifiers,” and described the timing as “like flat cola.”

In contrast, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon and Busan Mayor Park Hyungjoon, who have recently clashed with Jang, publicly welcomed his announcement. A two-term People Power Party lawmaker also commented by phone, “There has been a significant shift from the previous stance that martial law was due to the ruling party’s legislative overreach. The new position strongly suggests an intention to distance the party from former President Yoon.” He added, “Rather than expecting immediate results, I value the determination to pursue change step by step,” expressing support for Jang’s leadership.

On the same day, Jang nominated three-term lawmaker Jeong Jeomsik as the new Policy Committee Chair and former Namyangju Mayor Cho Gwanghan as a Supreme Council member by appointment. In April last year, Jeong had called for open discussion of measures against lawmakers who supported the impeachment of former President Yoon during a party caucus held after the impeachment ruling. Jang also appointed first-term lawmaker Kim Daesik as head of the special advisory group.

Meanwhile, Jang’s proposal to change the party’s name is scheduled to be finalized in February. Chief Spokesperson Choi Boyun told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, “We will establish a body to ensure the party’s values are fully reflected in the discussion,” adding, “We plan to complete the process by the end of February at the latest.”