[Leadership of Yoon Seok-yeol] Jang Je-won, from sniper to 'core of the core'... The trusted man who led unification

Yoon "Played the Biggest Role in Becoming a Candidate"
Post-Presidential Election Moves Draw Attention, Possibility of Expanding Support Base

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Among the People Power Party, no one hesitates to name Jang Je-won as the closest aide to Yoon Seok-yeol, the party’s presidential candidate. Following the successful unification with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, Jang is now regarded as the undisputed ‘core of the core’ among Yoon’s inner circle.

A People Power Party official said, "The unification between candidate Yoon and leader Ahn, which seemed almost impossible, was achieved, and no matter what anyone says, Jang has stepped forward as the ‘candidate’s close aide.’ We expect him to play an important role even after the presidential election." Even Yoon Sang-hyun, a party member who raised the unification issue, said, "Ask Jang."

After facing controversy as a so-called ‘Yoon Hae-gwan (Yoon Seok-yeol core insider),’ Jang did not hold any clear position within the party and stayed on the sidelines. On the 27th of last month, when candidate Yoon officially declared the breakdown of unification talks with leader Ahn, he announced that he had granted Jang full negotiation authority, which led opposition parties to sharply criticize, saying "Yoon Hae-gwan still exerts influence."

Following the failed negotiations where he held full authority, Jang stated in a phone call, "I did my best, but it will be difficult to take on any more roles."

However, Jang is known for his strong competitive spirit, which captivated candidate Yoon. After the unification with leader Ahn was achieved, Yoon praised Jang during a campaign rally in Sasang, Busan, Jang’s constituency, saying, "When I first entered politics and knew nothing, he taught and guided me," and "He played the biggest role in becoming the presidential candidate." This was a moment confirming Jang as Yoon’s official aide.

Originally, Jang was Yoon’s ‘sharpshooter.’ During the 2019 confirmation hearing for the Prosecutor General, Jang directly criticized Yoon, saying, "Two years were needed to wipe away the blood buried under the numerous investigations into deep-rooted evils." Earlier, at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s national audit, he aggressively pointed out suspicions of Yoon’s mother-in-law’s involvement in a fraud case.

These criticisms actually worked positively for Yoon’s support. In a media interview last year, Jang explained, "I am the one who thoroughly verified Yoon Seok-yeol," and "I found no evidence related to the mother-in-law’s case." Since August of the same year, Jang was recruited as the head of the general situation office in the campaign, handling major tasks such as recruiting current and former lawmakers, the ‘chimaek meeting’ with People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, and Yoon’s party admission during the early stages of the campaign.

However, later, Lee Jun-seok referred to Jang as a so-called ‘Yoon Hae-gwan,’ raising suspicions that he exerted influence inside and outside the election campaign committee. After the slimming down of the campaign headquarters, Jang remained an unofficial figure without any special position.

With the behind-the-scenes unification with candidate Ahn, Jang’s post-election moves have attracted even more attention. There is also an assessment that his support base within the party will expand.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.