Jang Donghyuk, the new leader of the People Power Party, and Song Unseok, the floor leader, along with other party leadership, paid respects at the Memorial Tower in the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on August 27, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

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With Jang Donghyuk elected as the new leader of the People Power Party, the internal dynamics of the party are expected to shift significantly. Given Jang's close ties with far-right factions, there is a high likelihood that the party will be reorganized around hardliners. As a result, there are predictions that the pro-Han Donghoon (pro-impeachment) faction may be on the path to a split from the party.

On the morning of August 27, Leader Jang began his official schedule by paying respects at the National Seoul National Cemetery. At the site, he emphasized, "What the party must do now is unite as one, stand in solidarity with the free conservative citizens, and protect the free Republic of Korea." Jang will subsequently preside over his first Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. In the afternoon, he will attend a general assembly of lawmakers to outline the party's direction and is scheduled to meet with Woo Sangho, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs.

Jeon Hangil, former Korean history instructor, is attending the Central Ethics Committee meeting held at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on August 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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The political community is closely monitoring potential changes in the People Power Party's political landscape. Party appointments are a key area of focus. The previous day, Secretary-General Jeong Jeomsik and other secretariat members, as well as Kim Jeongjae, the Policy Committee Chair, collectively offered their resignations, making additional appointments necessary.

Given that Leader Jang is relatively new to politics and has a limited talent pool, there is speculation that he may appoint far-right figures or hardliners within the party to prominent positions. During the party convention, Jang actively aligned himself with the far-right, even mentioning the possibility of nominating far-right YouTuber Jeon Hangil. In his first press conference after taking office, he left open the possibility of appointing Jeon and others as appointed Supreme Council members, stating, "We will decide after discussions." On the other hand, he made it clear that he would not pursue "mechanical balance" and would not appoint pro-impeachment members for the sake of party unity.

The newly formed leadership is also skewed toward hardliners. Among the five Supreme Council members, three are from the anti-impeachment faction. Supreme Council members Kim Minsu and Kim Jaewon have declared hardline stances, either by announcing plans to meet with former President Yoon Suk-yeol or by criticizing reformists. Political commentator Park Sangbyung noted, "Although the far-right is not currently the mainstream of the party, if Leader Jang and several Supreme Council members reorganize the party around themselves, party membership recruitment and appointments could tilt toward the far-right."

In July last year, Han Donghoon, the elected leader of the People Power Party (fourth from the left), took a commemorative photo with the elected Supreme Council members after receiving the party flag at the 4th People Power Party Convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. From the left are In Yohan, Kim Minjeon, Jang Donghyuk, Party Leader Han Donghoon, Kim Jaewon, and Youth Supreme Council member Jin Jongoh. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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Some are raising the possibility of a party split. This is due to the far-right shift and the difficulty the pro-impeachment faction may have in supporting the unified front advocated by Leader Jang. As Jang has warned of "decisive action" against those who undermine the party from within or fail to follow the party line, the space for the pro-impeachment faction to maneuver has become extremely limited. Additionally, the defeat of Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a prominent party leadership contender, has been attributed to the party's embrace of Han Donghoon, further weakening the position of the pro-Han faction.

Internal discord has already begun to surface. Pro-Han faction Assemblyman Cho Kyungtae targeted Leader Jang for the second consecutive day on social media, stating, "The party leader, who should be uniting the party and leading it in the right direction, is instead making remarks that fuel conflict and division." In response, Leader Jang said, "There is no need to respond to every comment by Assemblyman Cho, but if it is time for a decisive action, I will make one."

However, the prevailing view is that it will be difficult for the pro-Han faction to easily defect or form a new party, given the failed attempt at a split after former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment and the fact that many pro-Han members are proportional representatives. One pro-Han Assemblyman said, "After the presidential election and the party convention, the reformist faction has lost much of its momentum to speak out or unite," adding, "For now, we will have to wait and see."