Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, delivers opening remarks at an emergency party caucus held at the National Assembly on the 4th. [Yonhap News]

Inside the People Power Party, there are increasing calls on the 4th for the leadership, including leader Jang Dong-hyuk, to step down and take responsibility for the defeat in the June 3rd local elections.

However, the party caucus held on the same day concluded without any mention of the leadership's future, focusing solely on condemning the shortage of ballots by the Central Election Commission.

Ahn Sang-hoon, a lawmaker from the "Pro-Han Dong-hoon" faction, posted on Facebook that "the entry into parliament of former leader Han Dong-hoon, who was absurdly expelled by the Jang Dong-hyuk leadership, and Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who protected Seoul by distancing himself from the Jang Dong-hyuk leadership and his faction. This is a signal for the reconstruction of rational conservatism." He urged, "Public sentiment is divine will; the party leadership must quickly decide on their course of action."

Park Jeong-hoon, also a lawmaker from the "Pro-Han Dong-hoon" faction, stated at a press conference at the National Assembly that "I believe the leadership will carefully consider their decisions, but for our party to be reborn as a beloved party, the local elections must be a turning point." He added, "I believe the lawmakers share the same sentiment. I expect a reasonable conclusion to be reached by gathering our collective will at the party caucus."

Posts urging leader Jang to make a decision are also appearing in the social media group chat for all People Power Party lawmakers.

Han Ki-ho, a four-term lawmaker, emphasized, "A complete transformation for the future is essential." Yoon Han-hong, a three-term lawmaker, pressured the leadership by stating, "If we do not innovate and reorganize the party, the next election will be even more difficult."

Lee Yang-soo, a three-term lawmaker, wrote in the group chat, "A spirit of prioritizing the party over oneself is needed more than ever." He also told Yonhap News in a phone call, "I believe Leader Jang is a person of integrity and honor. He must decide on his course of action."

Former National Assembly Speaker Chung Eui-hwa, in a YouTube video, stated, "The results of this election are a stern judgment from the people on the leadership's anachronistic delusions and regressive behavior. The Jang Dong-hyuk leadership must humbly accept the election results and resign immediately," urging the formation of an emergency committee.

However, it appears that Leader Jang intends to "hold on" by highlighting the results of the by-elections, where they secured four seats, as an achievement, rather than stepping down immediately.

Leader Jang did not appear in public after leaving the vote counting room at the party's headquarters in Yeouido that morning, and he did not attend the party caucus held at 2 p.m.

Instead, he posted on Facebook before lunch, stating, "I will not turn away from the heavy responsibility entrusted to me and will find a new path forward with our party members," effectively drawing a line against calls for his resignation.

It is reported that the leadership's future was not discussed at the party caucus.

The caucus, which was originally scheduled to condemn the shortage of ballots by the Central Election Commission, had only about 70 attendees. The floor leadership had also announced from the outset that the focus would be solely on the election commission's issue.

In his opening remarks, Song Eon-seok, floor leader, commented on the election results, saying, "I believe the final results today are a result of voters opening their hearts to us, even if only a little. This is not the time to discuss who did well, who did poorly, who was helpful, and who was not."

Park Choong-kwon, senior deputy floor leader, told reporters after the caucus that when asked if Leader Jang and Song Eon-seok's future were discussed, he replied, "Such discussions did not take place."

He added, "After the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected at the plenary session tomorrow, I expect Floor Leader Song to announce the future floor schedule and the election of a new floor leadership."

Regarding Leader Jang's absence, he explained, "I believe his physical condition worsened due to extensive campaigning and dealing with the election commission. I understand it was for health reasons."

Park also said, "I am not aware of detailed plans for Leader Jang's statement. I understand he made a brief statement on social media." He added, "Our party does not consider the election results a victory. We are planning to reorganize and innovate the party moving forward."

The People Power Party will convene another party caucus on the 5th, coinciding with the plenary session to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. It is possible that calls for Leader Jang to make a decision on his future will be heard at this meeting.

A lawmaker from the "Pro-Han Dong-hoon" faction said in a phone call, "It is naturally a step towards resignation, but shouldn't we give him some time?" Another two-term lawmaker commented, "This is not a situation where he can simply hold on. There is no need to rush."