'Yoon Sukyeol First-Trial Verdict' D-Day...Will Jang Donghyuk Declare to 'Sever Ties with Yoon'?

As the date of former President Yoon Sukyeol's first trial verdict approaches, political circles are paying close attention to the message of Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party.

According to multiple sources on the 19th, Jang is preparing a message on the party's future course in connection with this verdict. The specific content, format, and timing are expected to be discussed at the Supreme Council meeting on Thursday morning. Chief Spokesperson Park Sunghoon said, "The message will include remarks on the party's clear direction, as well as on expanding our appeal to moderate voters."

Until now, Jang has continued to make principled, general remarks. This kind of strategic ambiguity stems from the gap between the 'party base' and the 'public sentiment'. While core party supporters are demanding consolidation around former President Yoon, opinion polls show that moderates are calling for the party to keep its distance from him, creating two opposing trends.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, was preparing for a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo provided by Yonhap News Agency.

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Ultimately, winning elections requires targeting moderate voters, but maintaining party leadership makes it difficult to break with the core base. For Jang, choosing one side means having to endure backlash from the other, leaving him in a dilemma.

Therefore, some observers believe that Jang's upcoming message will not differ greatly from his previous stance. Instead, the People Power Party leadership may try to shift the agenda toward "rebuilding the conservative camp," including measures such as revising the party's name.

Shin Dongwook, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on KBS1 Radio's "Jeonggyeok Sisa" on Thursday, "'Severing ties' should not become a mere political slogan. What we need is a substantive change in behavior."

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