Judging Advantage in Internal Party Opinion
Political Powder Kegs Like Future Yoon Issues Remain
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, has countered calls for his resignation or a confidence vote, which were sparked by the expulsion of former party leader Han Donghoon, by throwing down the gauntlet with a proposal for a “party-wide confidence vote.” His strategy is to break through the leadership crisis head-on and accelerate the transition to a campaign system for the June 3 local elections.
According to political circles on the 6th, Jang has been visiting livelihood sites in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province for the second consecutive day since the previous day. On this morning, he attended a picket protest site calling for the acceptance of an independent counsel investigation, as well as a residents’ meeting on the second Jeju airport. These visits are part of efforts to gauge local public sentiment ahead of the June 3 local elections.
Jang Donghyeok, leader of the People Power Party, held a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 5th and outlined his position in response to demands that he clarify his future course. 2026.2.5 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
However, attention within the party is focused on the fallout from the expulsion of former leader Han. Jang has played the card of a party-wide confidence vote. He held a press conference on the afternoon of the previous day and stated, “If anyone, by tomorrow (the 6th), stakes his or her political life and demands that I either step down or seek a renewed mandate, I will immediately hold a vote by all party members,” adding, “If I fail to win renewed confidence, I will give up both the party leadership and my parliamentary seat.”
Behind Jang’s bold move lies the internal party opinion landscape, in which hardline supporters are dominant. Jang Yechang, vice president of the Yeouido Institute, appeared on YTN that day and, regarding the party-wide confidence vote, said, “There will be overwhelming support from party members, at over 70%,” and added, “The reason why first- and second-term lawmakers or the pro-Han faction are not calling for a confidence vote is that they are aware of this.”
The non-leadership faction likewise has yet to find an effective move. Many lawmakers from the pro-Han camp and younger reformist ranks are also drawing a line at demanding that Jang seek renewed confidence. One pro-Han lawmaker said in a phone call that day, “From the beginning, what our side demanded was his resignation, not that he seek renewed confidence.”
However, the political powder keg remains. Immediately after the first-instance verdict scheduled for the 19th in former President Yoon Sukyeol’s sedition trial, the issue of “cutting ties with Yoon completely” could come under intense scrutiny. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Yongtae said, “As the election approaches, more lawmakers are voicing the opinion that the party cannot continue on this path, and the party leader will not be able to shoulder all of this,” adding, “Demands to change the (political) course will grow even stronger.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
