With Jang Je-won's Withdrawal... Rising Calls for "Kim Ki-hyun's Decision"

Jang Je-won, a three-term lawmaker from the People Power Party and a key figure in the pro-Yoon (親尹) faction, officially declared that he will not run in next year's general election, increasing calls within the party for Kim Gi-hyeon, the party leader, to resign. As Kim canceled his official schedule from the previous day and entered a 'period of deep contemplation,' some voices suggest that a retreat option should be opened for him to run in Ulsan after his resignation.

On the 13th, Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Since (Representative Jang) has made a difficult decision, I think it is only right to respect it. But the problem is whether that alone can turn around the cold public sentiment. I believe it is insufficient," adding, "Personal reform, a major shift in government policy, and a healthy party-government relationship?all these need to be achieved in succession to be able to turn around the cold public sentiment."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

This can be interpreted as a call for a decisive move from Kim. Regarding Kim’s cancellation of his schedule and disappearance the previous day, Ahn said, "I think he will come out with one of two options: either present a truly innovative plan that can win the general election or resign as party leader. It will probably be one of the two."

Kim Young-woo, a former lawmaker who served as the campaign committee chairman for Ahn Cheol-soo’s camp in the last party convention, also interpreted Jang’s announcement of not running as pressure on Kim, saying on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' "Jang Je-won was the main driver of the Kim-Jang alliance (Kim Gi-hyeon-Jang Je-won), and it seems that Jang is deciding the beginning and end of this alliance," adding, "In that sense, Kim cannot help but feel pressured. That is why I understand he has entered a period of deep contemplation."

He continued, "In any case, the Inyo-han Innovation Committee has demanded sacrifices from core pro-Yoon lawmakers, whether by not running or running in difficult constituencies," adding, "This is also a response to that, so I think that, ultimately, including Kim, this has opened the door to innovation once again."

Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker who has long called for Kim’s resignation, speculated on the possibility of resignation and proposed opening the path for Kim to run in Ulsan rather than not running at all. On SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' Ha said, "I hope the party can devise an exit strategy where Kim resigns and is allowed to run in Ulsan," adding, "If he resigns as leader and also decides not to run, or is pushed into not running, it feels like too much pressure rather than offering an honorable retreat."

He added, "When I talked about Kim resigning as leader, it was not because I think he should quit politics, but because the party’s face needs to change for winning elections in the Seoul metropolitan area. This was said out of an urgent desire," and continued, "The leadership must be changed to win the election, and if he makes that decision, I hope the party can show some understanding and come up with a compromise that allows him to run in Ulsan."

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