People Power Party Representative Jang Dong-hyeok is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. [Yonhap News] 

On the 24th, the People Power Party (PPP) decided to postpone the vote on the proposal pushed by Representative Jang Dong-hyeok to "re-elect all 254 party association chairpersons nationwide" during its Supreme Council meeting.

The agenda is scheduled to be resubmitted for further discussion at the Supreme Council as early as the 27th, although a final decision on that date has not yet been set.

Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon announced in a briefing that Representative Jang had decided not to bring the agenda to a vote at that day's Supreme Council meeting and instead opted to resume discussions at the next session.

Spokesperson Park stated, "The direct election of party association chairpersons by party members was an idea born from the process of establishing the party's direction and identity to reorganize the party and transform it into an organization capable of fighting effectively in the next general election. However, given that the sincerity of the move is being distorted in some quarters, it was judged that it is too early to reach a conclusion today."

Previously, only Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho and Youth Supreme Council Member Woo Jae-jun had expressed opposition to the agenda. However, as Supreme Council Member Yang Hyang-ja voiced additional public criticism and Supreme Council Member Shin Dong-wook suggested seeking alternatives rather than pushing for a vote, it appears the leadership decided to take a few days for further deliberation.

In her public remarks, Supreme Council Member Yang proposed that the party innovation plan be decided by a unanimous vote of the Supreme Council, that the public be allowed to participate in the party association chairperson primaries, and that a separate re-election method be considered for local chapters currently held by incumbent lawmakers.

A member of the party leadership stated regarding the postponement, "No one disagrees with the intent of a party member vote, but lawmakers are concerned that discussions about primaries at the central party level could make the party appear divided."

The source further projected that the matter would be re-discussed at the Supreme Council on the 27th, following a general meeting of lawmakers on the 26th, suggesting that limiting the direct voting system to vacant party chapters might be a more realistic solution acceptable to incumbent lawmakers.

A party official also told Yonhap News, "Since there are various opinions, isn't it better to seek a reasonable alternative by the next Supreme Council meeting? The issue is the scope and the timing."

However, Spokesperson Park emphasized, "While a final conclusion has not been reached, this does not mean the direct election system for party association chairpersons, which is supported by the majority of the Supreme Council, is being walked back or re-examined from scratch."

Supreme Council Member Cho Gwang-han, a key party figure, also told reporters, "The goal is to gather more diverse opinions and communicate," adding weight to the idea that the discussions have not returned to square one, stating, "I believe there will be more active personal dialogue after today."

With the terms of party association chairpersons expiring at the end of this month, it appears the leadership cannot delay the decision too long, as there could be legal disputes over whether those positions should be considered vacant or if the incumbents should remain in office until a new process is determined.

Representative Jang Dong-hyeok speaking [Seoul=Yonhap News] 

According to the People Power Party's constitution and regulations, the term of a party association chairperson expires at the end of August of every even-numbered year.

Under the local organization operating regulations, a chairperson can be elected via: (1) a vote by all party members or responsible party members in the jurisdiction, (2) selection by the party association's steering committee, or (3) other methods determined by the Supreme Council.

Traditionally, selection by the steering committee has been the standard practice, and replacements have only occurred under special circumstances, such as the voluntary resignation of a chairperson or a recommendation by the party audit committee.

However, Representative Jang has been pushing for a nationwide direct election of all chairpersons by party members, citing the need for internal structural reform to effectively compete against the massive ruling party.

In response, about 40 lawmakers gathered at a general meeting last week and reached a consensus of opposition, arguing that a de facto primary for all positions could lead to internal strife. Floor Leader Choo subsequently conveyed this position to the Supreme Council on behalf of the lawmakers.

Spokesperson Park met with reporters and said, "Representative Jang is meeting with many lawmakers to listen to them directly and is also listening to voices from outside the party with a flexible attitude," adding, "He is striving to ensure that the issue of direct elections for party association chairpersons serves as a catalyst for party unity and innovation, rather than a cause for internal conflict."