"Absolute Yoon Bill": Hardliners Protest, Reformists Demand Follow-Up Actions

Nomination Committee Reopens Applications for Seoul and South Chungcheong

Participation of Oh Sehoon and Kim Taehum Remains Uncertain

Hardliners Pressure for Defection Over Severed Ties

Jang Donghyeok’s Team Moves Quickly to Defuse Te

The People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee has decided to extend the application period for candidates for the heads of metropolitan governments in Seoul and South Chungcheong Province until March 12. This move effectively gives Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul, and Kim Taeheum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, another opportunity to register, after they initially chose not to apply for nomination, citing reasons such as the party’s policy shift and calls for administrative integration. However, there remains a significant possibility that Mayor Oh and Governor Kim may still opt out of this additional registration if they determine that the party’s visible changes fall short of expectations.

The People Power Party has resolved to oppose the political return of former President Yoon Sukyeol as it seeks to manage internal strife, but both internal and external party dynamics remain precarious. The party faces a major challenge commonly referred to as the 'Severance from Yoon Demand.' Hardcore supporters have strongly objected to the move to sever ties with the former president. Meanwhile, non-mainstream party members are demanding follow-up measures that would demonstrate genuine change, such as personnel and disciplinary reversals. Whether Mayor Oh decides to participate in the additional recruitment for the Seoul mayoral candidacy is expected to be a crucial turning point that will shape the direction of this controversy.

On this day, Mayor Oh stated on social media, "While this resolution certainly marks the start of positive change, it must not remain a mere declaration," adding, "What the public wants is tangible change. I earnestly ask the party leadership to take concrete action." Although he did not clarify whether he would participate in the additional candidate recruitment for the Seoul mayoral race, it is known that he is giving careful consideration to his political options.

Jang Donghyuk, Leader of the People Power Party, Song Unseok, Floor Leader, and Cho Jeonghun, Head of the Talent Recruitment Committee, attended the welcoming ceremony for locally recruited talents held at the National Assembly on March 11, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

From the perspective of the party leadership, addressing the demands for reform from non-mainstream members also poses a challenge. After the parliamentary meeting on March 8, where the resolution to sever ties with Yoon was passed, this group proposed a range of measures: taking personnel action against certain pro-Yoon figures in the party, such as Yoon Minwoo, Chair of the Ethics Committee; retracting disciplinary actions against pro-Han supporters; launching an innovation-focused election campaign committee early; and having the leadership step back from the front lines.

The general analysis is that Mayor Oh's remarks were also made with such follow-up reform measures in mind. On the same day, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Joo Hoeyoung, who has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Daegu, appeared on CBS's 'Park Seongtae's News Show' and said, "Since Leader Jang Donghyuk has stated he would respect the parliamentary resolution, I expect there will be one or two corresponding actions."

That morning, Leader Jang, speaking with reporters, said, "What is clear is that the position (the resolution) declared in the name of all 107 lawmakers is the official stance of the People Power Party," adding, "On the basis of respecting this resolution, I will do my utmost for victory in the local elections."

Another concern for the party leadership is how to handle relations with the so-called 'Yoon Again' faction. If the People Power Party is seen as attempting to politically distance itself from them, a strong backlash is expected. Hardcore conservative YouTuber Jeon Hangil even announced and then canceled a press conference in which he planned to submit a letter of resignation from the party in protest against the move to formalize the 'severance from Yoon' as party policy.

Jeon explained, "This decision was made at the strong urging of the president's legal team to remain in the party." Leader Jang’s camp is working to contain the situation. Kim Minsu, a Supreme Council member, stated regarding the so-called 'Namyangju Group of Eight' meeting, where the resolution was reportedly discussed, "Neither the word 'resolution' nor any mention of Mayor Oh came up."

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