Possible Decision at Supreme Council Meeting as Early as the 29th
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, who recently ended his eight-day hunger strike, is expected to return to party duties as early as this week. Tensions are rising as the timing of his return coincides with the issue of expelling former leader Han Donghoon.
On the 26th, Jang plans to undergo a thorough medical examination and discuss the timing of his discharge from the hospital. He is receiving basic work briefings, but it is reported that he still needs time to recover. He is expected to preside over the Supreme Council meeting and resume his party duties as soon as January 29.
The issue of disciplinary action against former leader Han may also be addressed on this day. Within the pro-leadership faction, there is a strong sentiment that expulsion should proceed now that political justification has been secured. Han did not seek political compromise by either requesting a retrial by the deadline on the 23rd or visiting Jang’s hunger strike site. On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo posted on social media, urging the party to resolve the controversy, stating, "If the party member bulletin board issue is not settled, public opinion will inevitably regress to what it was before the hunger strike."
There is concern that finalizing Han’s expulsion could plunge the party into internal strife once again. Over the weekend, both sides engaged in a war of nerves over a rally in front of the National Assembly opposing Han’s expulsion. In an online community, Han criticized Jang, stating, "So many people came out in the cold to stop fake conservatives from driving out real conservatives and destroying conservatism and the Republic of Korea." Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said after the Supreme Council meeting that day, "There were concerns about remarks at the rally by Han's supporters that undermined party discipline, and there was discussion about whether appropriate measures should be taken."
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