People Power Party Rallies for Confrontation with Ruling Party... Holds Workshop to Strengthen Internal Unity

Strengthening Unity Ahead of September’s Regular Session
Will Pro- and Anti-Impeachment Factions Unite?
Jang Donghyuk Faces a Crucial Test
Ruling and Opposition Parties Brace for Head-On Confrontation
Key Appointments Under the Spotlight

The People Power Party will hold a two-day workshop from August 28 to 29 at the Incheon International Airport Corporation Aviation Training Center to determine its strategy and intensity in confronting the ruling party. With a showdown against the government and the ruling party set to begin at the regular National Assembly session in September, the focus is expected to be on strengthening the leadership of the newly appointed executives, including leader Jang Donghyuk, and forming a unified front.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on August 28, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

This workshop is the first to be held since the inauguration of leader Jang Donghyuk and floor leader Song Eonseok. On the first day, there will be breakout discussions by standing committees, special lectures by experts such as Park Myungho, professor of political science and international relations at Dongguk University, and idea presentations for addressing public livelihood issues and party innovation. On the second day, the results of the group discussions and a resolution will be announced.

This workshop is largely aimed at consolidating internal unity ahead of the regular National Assembly session that begins on September 1. Having been reduced to a minority opposition party, the People Power Party is experiencing declining approval ratings and internal strife, resulting in a weakened capacity for political struggle. As a result, the party has been unable to stop the passage of key bills such as the Yellow Envelope Act (the amendment to the Trade Union Act), the tougher amendment to the Commercial Act, and the three broadcasting-related bills (the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act). In addition, amendments to the three major special prosecutor bills targeting the opposition (the Special Prosecutor for Insurrection, the Special Prosecutor for Kim Keonhee, and the Special Prosecutor for Chae Sangbyeong) are also pending.

In particular, at the plenary session held the previous day, the nomination for a National Human Rights Commissioner recommended by the People Power Party was rejected due to opposition from the Democratic Party. In protest, the People Power Party has boycotted all National Assembly schedules, including standing committee meetings, since the previous day. During the workshop, the party will decide whether to extend this boycott. Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, emphasized at the Supreme Council meeting that morning, "Without an apology and reflection from the Speaker of the National Assembly and the ruling party's floor leadership, it will be difficult for the People Power Party to cooperate on major agendas in the upcoming regular session."

During the workshop, leader Jang is also expected to gather opinions regarding appointments such as the Supreme Council member by nomination and the Secretary-General. Upon taking office, Jang stated, "I will make appointments based on ability, not mechanical balance." These appointments are seen as a litmus test for Jang's future direction. Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters that morning, "The most important position is the Secretary-General, and we plan to finalize the appointments, reflecting various opinions, within this week if possible."

Leader Jang also aims to strengthen internal unity, which has been fractured during the periods of martial law and impeachment, through this workshop. The key issue is whether to achieve integration between the pro-Han Donghoon faction and lawmakers such as Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsoo, who are classified as critical of the leadership. Although Jang repeatedly stated during the party convention that he "cannot work with internal saboteurs," the previous day he signaled an intention to mend divisions, saying, "It is time to shed the clothes of the past and move toward the future." It is also reported that the camps of Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsoo plan to refrain from making statements that could fuel internal conflict for the time being.

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