People Power Party Struggles to Form Central Campaign Committee... Criticism Over "Distancing From Jang" Raised

The leadership of the People Power Party has offered the position of Central Election Countermeasures Committee Chair to senior party lawmakers with just 37 days left until the nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3. However, as these lawmakers hesitate to accept, the party is struggling to form its election committee. While criticism and distancing from Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, continue within the party, some members of the leadership have voiced objections to such criticism.

On April 27, Song Wonseok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, proposed the role of joint election committee chair to senior lawmakers Kim Kimoon, Na Kyungwon, and Ahn Cheolsoo, but has yet to receive a response. Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly that day, "Chairman Jang asked for good candidates to be recommended, and Floor Leader Song approached these three individuals to request their participation," adding, "As far as I know, we have not yet heard back from them. Nothing has been finalized."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party (pictured far right), is giving a speech at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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As the selection of metropolitan mayoral candidates nears completion, the leadership is focusing on forming the central election committee to shift the party’s election momentum. However, local responses remain cold. There have been discussions about launching independent local election committees in Seoul and Gyeonggi, and similar talks are underway in Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) as well as Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (BUK), with preparations proceeding separately from the central party in these regions.

Some members have called for Jang Donghyuk to take responsibility, including by resigning, citing the controversies that arose before and after his recent trip to the United States. However, the leadership has drawn a clear line against such demands. Chairman Jang has firmly rejected these calls, stating, "I will be evaluated after the local elections." On the previous day, Chief of Staff Cho Wontae criticized the internal dissent, saying, "The criticism directed at the party leader and the leadership has gone too far" and "It has crossed the line."

Meanwhile, within the leadership, some have criticized the formation of independent local election committees. At the Supreme Council meeting held that day, Supreme Council Member Cho Gwanghan said, "Is insisting on distancing from the leadership truly the best and most certain path forward?" He added, "What the people and party members genuinely want to see is unwavering responsibility and unity even in the face of crisis."

Supreme Council Member Kim Jaewon reiterated the need for efforts at the central party level. At the same meeting, he said, "If poor-quality goods are supplied by wholesalers, retailers or street vendors selling those goods cannot do well," adding, "Our party must redouble its efforts so that candidates working on the front lines can campaign energetically, sell good products, and earn a good reputation."

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