Prominent Conservative Politicians Visit Jang to Show Support
People Power Party Intensifies Protest Against Ruling Party
with Rallies and Calls for a One-on-One Meeting
Jang Donghyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, continued his hunger strike for the sixth consecutive day on January 20, demanding a dual special investigation into the Democratic Party of Korea's nomination bribery allegations and the Unification Church Gate. On this day, he held a surprise meeting with former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin.
Former lawmaker Yoo visited the National Assembly Rotunda in the morning to encourage Jang. After speaking with Jang for about ten minutes, Yoo told reporters, "I came because I heard that Representative Jang is having a very difficult time and I was concerned," adding, "Even if we have different opinions on certain issues, it is time for us to come together to rebuild trust as conservatives."
Jang Donghyuk, the leader of the People Power Party who has been on a hunger strike for six days demanding a dual special investigation into the Unification Church and nomination bribery from the Democratic Party of Korea, is seen talking with former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin, who visited the protest site at the National Assembly Rotunda on January 20, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
He particularly emphasized the importance of conservative unity, stressing that the party must be united in times of crisis. Yoo said, "The most urgent task for our party is to rebuild conservatism by earning the people's trust and support," and added, "From that perspective, no one can have a different opinion."
Following Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon’s visit on January 18, other prominent conservative politicians have been visiting Jang one after another. On January 19, Kim Taeheum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, and Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan, visited Jang to offer their encouragement. Political circles are analyzing that Jang’s hunger strike is serving as a catalyst for conservative solidarity.
Jang’s health has deteriorated to the point that medical staff have requested he be transferred to a hospital, but he has refused. As discussions on the dual special investigation targeting the ruling party remain deadlocked, Jang is continuing his hardline protest. He stated on this day, "I am risking my life to demand an answer from the Democratic Party, and if they do not respond, that in itself is an admission."
Support from within the party also continued. Floor leader Song Eonseok, along with other party leaders and lawmakers, escalated their protest by holding a rally in front of the fountain at the Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae in Jongno-gu, Seoul, calling for the acceptance of the dual special investigation. After the rally, they plan to deliver a formal request for the acceptance of the dual special investigation to the presidential office. The party intends to postpone all National Assembly standing committee schedules this week and focus on the protest until Jang ends his hunger strike.
In addition, they repeatedly called on President Lee Jaemyung to hold a one-on-one summit. At a party strategy meeting, floor leader Song said, "The first action of Hong Ikpyo, the new Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, should be to visit Representative Jang at the hunger strike site," adding, "We expect him to play a positive role in communicating with the opposition, including conveying the demand for the dual special investigation to President Lee."
The party’s reformist group, "Alternative and Future," which had previously called for a change in Jang’s stance, also offered support. Lee Seongkwon, the group’s secretary, told reporters after a regular meeting in the morning, "We have reached a consensus to actively support Representative Jang’s hunger strike and join the protest," adding, "What the party needs now is unity, and we have resolved that any words or actions that hinder this must stop." Afterwards, lawmakers belonging to Alternative and Future visited Jang at the hunger strike site to show their encouragement.
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