Calling for Conservative Unity Across Yeongnam... Jang Donghyuk Regains Political Momentum

Jang to Attend Ulsan City Campaign Committee Launch on May 11

Supporting Elections Centered on Yeongnam and Chungcheong Regions

Ramping Up Criticism Over Controversy Surrounding "President Lee's Withdrawal of Prosecution"

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, appears to be regaining political momentum through his campaign activities supporting the local elections in the Yeongnam region. Although his leadership came under scrutiny due to controversies over his planned trip to the United States ahead of the election and internal nomination disputes, a renewed call for conservative unity and a “one team” approach in the Yeongnam region has brought him back to the forefront.

On the afternoon of May 11, Jang is scheduled to attend the launch ceremony of the People Power Party’s Ulsan City Election Campaign Committee. This week, he plans to travel across the country, including stops in Incheon, North Chungcheong, and North Jeolla. Last week, he expanded his activities, focusing mainly on the Yeongnam and Chungcheong areas.

On May 10, Jang attended the opening ceremonies of the election offices for Park Minsik, candidate for the Busan Bukgap by-election, and Lee Jinsook, candidate for the Daegu Dalseong by-election. On May 9, he visited the birthplace of former First Lady Yuk Young-soo and attended the opening ceremony for the election office of Kim Taeheum, candidate for governor of South Chungcheong Province.

At the opening ceremony for Park Minsik’s campaign office in Busan Bukgap, Jang emphasized, “The difficulties faced by conservative parties stem from internal division,” adding, “It should not be those who sow seeds of conflict and division, but people like candidate Park, who have steadfastly defended conservative values, who must rebuild the conservative party.”

Jang Dong-hyuk, People Power Party (PPP) leader, attending the opening ceremony of the election office for Park Min-sik, PPP candidate for Busan Bukgap by-election (center of the front row in the photo). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Within and outside the party, there is analysis that the recent trend of conservative consolidation centered on the PK region (Busan and South Gyeongsang) is once again expanding Jang’s political space. With each candidate’s campaign emphasizing a “one team” message ahead of the local elections, Jang—whose role had been limited for a time—has naturally gained justification to take a leading role in supporting the campaign. With official candidate registration set to conclude on May 14–15, the party will enter full-scale election mode, providing Jang with an opportunity to restore his leadership.

In addition, during his recent public appearances, Jang has been delivering messages of unity while also intensifying criticism of the ruling party over the controversy surrounding President Lee Jaemyung’s withdrawal of prosecution. At the opening ceremony for Lee Jinsook’s campaign office in Daegu Dalseong, Jang criticized, “President Lee Jaemyung’s withdrawal of prosecution is an act of disregarding the people.”

However, a complex web of internal party dynamics that will persist beyond the local elections remains a concern. There is still a prevailing view that the embers of internal strife have not been completely extinguished. Joo Gwangdeok, the sole nominee for mayor of Namyangju from the People Power Party, has demanded that Jang step down from the front line, declaring, “If my demand is not accepted, I will not register as a candidate.”

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