Conflicting Opinions on the 'Chinyun Gathering'... Kwon Seong-dong Says "Will Stop It", Jang Je-won Says "Not a Power Move"

Kwon Seong-dong "Should Avoid Being Seen as More Than a Study Group"
Jang Je-won "Morning Meeting Reflecting Public Sentiment, Misunderstood as Factionalization"

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Within the People Power Party, opinions diverged between Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong and Assemblyman Jang Je-won, both considered key figures in the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction, regarding the launch of a tentative 'Mindeulle' (Dandelion) group centered on pro-Yoon members.

On the 10th, Floor Leader Kwon expressed concerns about the formation of the Mindeulle group amid fears of factionalization, stating, "I conveyed the opinion that it would be better not to launch it as it could easily be misunderstood." In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' he said, "There is an official party-government consultative body, so having a separate group that could be misunderstood by the public is inappropriate. It is right to refrain from and avoid groups that could be seen as more than just study groups."

He added, "If things go wrong, factional talks could arise, which I believe would hinder the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration," and said, "Since it could lead to party division, if there is such an intention, I will take the lead as floor leader to stop it."

Jang Je-won, Chief of Staff to the President-elect (People Power Party lawmaker), is announcing the personnel appointments of the presidential office reorganized into a '2 Offices and 5 Senior Secretaries' system on the afternoon of the 1st of last month at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Seoul. / Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

In response, Assemblyman Jang denied that the group was intended for factionalization. In a post on Facebook, he stated, "The purpose of the assembly members' meeting I confirmed is a morning meeting to communicate and discuss political issues or policy matters to serve public opinion," and added, "I hope there will be no talk of pro-Yoon factionalization. I hope there is no misunderstanding."

Regarding reports that Assemblyman Jang led the Mindeulle group, he also denied, saying, "I merely expressed my willingness to participate as one member in a group open to any members of our party."

Within the People Power Party, concerns are emerging that the Mindeulle group might rekindle factional conflicts similar to the past divisions between pro-Park (pro-Park Geun-hye) and pro-Lee (pro-Lee Myung-bak). On the 9th, Representative Lee Jun-seok, who returned from Ukraine, expressed opposition to launching a separate group, saying, "There is already an official party-government-presidential office consultative body in operation, so there is no situation to form a separate private organization."

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