People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok [Photo=Yonhap News]

People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok criticized President Lee Jae-myung on the 19th for revisiting constitutional amendment discussions following reports of his golf outing with senior opposition lawmakers, stating, "This is a move to divide and split the opposition party to pave the way for the consecutive-term constitutional amendment he desires."

Representative Jang appeared on the Pen&Mike YouTube channel that day and said, "After secretly playing golf with senior opposition lawmakers, he brought the matter to the surface at a calculated moment and used the influence and voices of opposition lawmakers to bring up the consecutive-term amendment first. This is neither a normal nor a desirable approach."

He further raised his voice, saying, "To think that a man who earned the nickname 'Democratic Mortgage' because he wouldn't want to lose even a single penny would willingly shorten his term to amend the constitution for the future of the Republic of Korea—even a passing puppy wouldn't believe it. He is essentially saying, 'I'll give up one year of my term, so please give me eight years.' President Lee himself is the very obstacle preventing constitutional reform."

Representative Jang also expressed his disappointment toward senior members of his own party who have been discussing his resignation, including those who joined President Lee for the golf outing.

He criticized them, saying, "At a time when we should be fighting against the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party, how can we win the general election if our own members are playing golf with a President who dreams of a consecutive-term amendment and calling for constitutional change, or if they talk of nothing but my resignation, claiming we will lose the election because of Jang Dong-hyeok, while the public's livelihood is suffering?"

He added, "If they only focus on changing the party representative and leadership because their own nomination prospects seem uncertain, they will only disappoint our party members, supporters, and the public."

Representative Jang further noted, "Whenever the (People Power Party) has won general elections in the past, it was when our senior members made sacrifices—when we boldly replaced incumbents and brought in new blood. If our seniors would declare they won't run and encourage younger talent to step in, we could transform into a party capable of fighting anew; a single word of sacrifice would lead to much better results in the next general election."

Representative Jang, who will soon mark his one-year anniversary in office, also emphasized regarding his recent plan to replace party council chairmen—a move rooted in his vision for a party centered on its members—that "now is the right time and the final opportunity to drive meaningful change."

Representative Jang explained, "We will replace party council chairmen who do not work according to the party constitution and regulations, or those who would not be elected if they ran in the next general election, with individuals who can win. The authority for that decision rests not with the party representative, but will be returned to the party members."

Regarding lawmakers currently facing disciplinary procedures from the party's Central Ethics Committee, Representative Jang emphasized the importance of 'discipline.'

He stated regarding Representative Seo Beom-soo, "The 'roundhouse kick' remark was an incident that showed the public how some of our party members perceive serious issues. While the victim's request for leniency is an opinion worth considering, appropriate measures must be taken because harm was done to the party. This is a matter of maintaining discipline to ensure such incidents do not recur."

Concerning Representative Kwon Young-jin, he stated, "The issue of grabbing the floor leader by the collar is a matter of party discipline."

Meanwhile, regarding the election of former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok as the new leader of the Democratic Party, Representative Jang said, "Although Representative Kim was elected with the President's help, as he works to repay that debt, his own political standing will inevitably narrow, and he will be forced to distance himself from the party members and the public." He added, "With the Democratic Party’s traditional support base having turned away, it is unclear whether he will continue to work hand-in-hand with the President to the end, and eventually, he will have no choice but to walk a different path."