Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, drinks water during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 11th. Floor leader Chung Jin-suk is on the left. [Yonhap News]  

The internal conflict within the People Power Party regarding the leadership of Jang Dong-hyuk, who is facing pressure over accountability for the 6.3 local elections defeat, is expected to reach a critical point this week, on the 14th.

Although Jang is attempting to shift the narrative by addressing the shortage of ballots, his grip on the party has weakened to the extent that he is being referred to as a de facto 'figurehead leader.' Analysis suggests that the fate of the calls for Jang's accountability may be decided at a general meeting of lawmakers, which could be convened soon.

Within the party, the prevailing sentiment is that it will be difficult for Jang to continue as leader, but there are differing views among factions regarding the timing and method of his resignation.

The People Power Party's young reformist faction 'Alternative and Future,' "Demanding the Resignation of Leader Jang Dong-hyuk" [Yonhap News]

◇ Will a General Meeting Be Convened as Demanded by the Young Reformists… Possibility of Escalating Conflict Rather Than Resolution

On the 11th, 25 lawmakers belonging to 'Alternative and Future,' a group of reform-minded parliamentarians, requested the convocation of a general meeting of lawmakers to discuss issues including Jang Dong-hyuk's leadership.

Chung Jin-suk, the newly elected floor leader, stated at the time that a decision would be made by the 14th.

If a general meeting is convened, it is expected that the anti-Jang Dong-hyuk faction, which includes the Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction, the young reformist group, and supporters of Mayor Oh Se-hoon, will unite to push for Jang's resignation.

Although it would not be legally binding, it could exert significant pressure on Jang if the party's lawmakers reach a consensus.

However, Jang himself argues that the narrative of defeat in the local elections is a "mental defeat," emphasizing that the party performed better than expected and that public support has been rising since then.

Jang's closest associates are also highlighting that his term, elected in August last year, extends until August of the following year, a full two-year period.

Furthermore, a considerable portion of the old guard, who are part of the pro-party leadership faction, are also effectively opposed to Jang's immediate resignation.

Chung, the floor leader and a member of the old guard, has also stated that the issue of Jang's leadership should be resolved through collective wisdom by gathering a consensus.

For this reason, even if a general meeting is held, it could escalate into conflict rather than leading to a resolution.

Due to these concerns, the convocation of the general meeting itself might be postponed, citing reasons such as dealing with pressing issues like the negotiation of the committee composition.

If a general meeting is not held, or if a resolution cannot be reached through such a meeting, the internal conflict surrounding Jang Dong-hyuk's accountability is likely to become prolonged.

People Power Party Supreme Council meeting [Yonhap News]

◇ Conflicting Factional Interests Intertwined with General Election Nomination Rights… Attention Also on the Supreme Council Members' Decisions

While the anti-Jang Dong-hyuk faction is calling for his immediate resignation, the pro-party leadership faction, excluding Jang's closest associates, generally suggests that Jang should be persuaded behind the scenes to resign voluntarily.

This is based on the belief that forcing Jang out through a confrontational approach could lead to greater turmoil.

The intensifying factional conflict between the pro-Chung faction and the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party, ahead of their August 17th national convention, is also a factor considered by the pro-party leadership faction.

They believe that if the People Power Party is also embroiled in internal strife while the Democratic Party faces internal conflicts, they will not be able to benefit from the ensuing confusion in the ruling camp.

The fact that the next party leader will hold the nomination rights for the 2028 general elections is also a factor creating differences in calculations between the pro-party leadership faction and the anti-Jang Dong-hyuk faction.

The pro-party leadership faction believes it is better to maintain the current system longer, considering the possibility that Jang could resign voluntarily and then be re-elected as party leader in the next national convention with the support of hardline party members.

Conversely, those advocating for Jang's immediate resignation believe that preparations for the general elections are only possible if a new leadership body with nomination rights is established as soon as possible.

Woo Jae-joon, the youth supreme council member classified as pro-Han, stated in a media interview on the 12th that if the current Jang Dong-hyuk system remains in place and a successor leadership is elected in August next year, "nominations must be completed by February (2028), two months before the general elections, meaning the next leadership will effectively have only six months."

However, if Jang continues to "resist," there is no way to remove him other than the collapse of the 'Supreme Council system.'

According to the People Power Party's party constitution and rules, if four or more elected supreme council members and the youth supreme council member resign or their positions become vacant, the party transitions to an emergency response committee system, and the party leader and supreme council members lose their status and authority.

Among the nine supreme council members, Supreme Council Member Yang Hyang-ja, along with Supreme Council Member Woo, who called for the resignation of the entire leadership, have indicated the possibility of resignation.

Consequently, attention is focused on the decisions of Supreme Council Members Shin Dong-wook and Kim Jae-won, excluding Jang's closest associates, Kim Min-soo and Cho Kwang-han.

In addition to these members, the floor leader Chung and the vacant policy director are ex-officio supreme council members.