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]

It is projected that a turning point will be reached in the middle of this week regarding the leadership of Jang Dong-hyuk, who is facing a barrage of criticism for the People Power Party's defeat in the June 3 local elections.

Although Jang is attempting to shift the narrative by addressing the ballot shortage issue, his grip on the party has weakened to the point where some are calling him a "lame duck leader." Analyses suggest that the direction of responsibility claims against Jang could be decided at a general assembly of lawmakers, which is expected to be held soon.

The prevailing opinion within the party is that it will be difficult for Jang to continue as leader, but there are differences in opinion among factions regarding the timing and method of his resignation.

Lawmakers, including Lee Seong-kwon (fifth from left), convener of the People Power Party's young lawmakers' group 'Alternative and Future,' which is composed mainly of first and second-term lawmakers, hold a press conference at the National Assembly's Communication Center on the 11th demanding the resignation of leader Jang Dong-hyuk. [Yonhap News]

◇ Will a General Assembly be Convened at the Demand of Young Lawmakers? Possible Escalation of Conflict Rather Than Resolution

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

In response, Floor Leader Chung Jin-suk confirmed that he notified 'Alternative and Future' on the same day that a general assembly would be held at 10 a.m. on the day of the plenary session of the National Assembly, scheduled for the 17th or 18th.

A key party official told Yonhap News, "Shouldn't we hear everyone's opinions at the general assembly?" and added, "Ultimately, it is up to leader Jang himself to make a comprehensive judgment."

If a general assembly is held, the anti-Jang faction, including the "Pro-Han Dong-hoon" (Pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction, young lawmakers, and the faction supporting Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, is expected to unite in urging Jang's resignation.

While it lacks legal binding power, a consensus among party lawmakers could exert significant pressure on Jang.

First-term lawmaker Kim Yong-tae from the Seoul metropolitan area argued in a Facebook post on the same day, "The leadership that uses conspiracy theories of election rigging, fabricated by far-right YouTubers, to strengthen its political position and maintain party leadership, while failing to solve any actual problems, must come to an end."

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

Jang's closest aides are also highlighting that Jang's term, elected in August last year, extends until August of next year, a full two years.

Party Secretary-General Chung Hee-yong, appointed under Jang's leadership, stated on Facebook on the same day, "The people have given their assessment through the elections, and public opinion polls show the People Power Party's approval rating is rebounding. Criticism and diverse voices can emerge within a political party, but if the party leader's resignation is consistently demanded, how will the public and party members evaluate the true intention of that demand?"

Furthermore, a significant number of old guard figures are effectively opposing Jang's immediate resignation.

Floor Leader Chung, a figure from the old guard, has also stated, "We must gather consensus and resolve the issue through collective intelligence."

Floor Leader Chung is reportedly considering holding meetings with senior lawmakers and one-on-one meetings with lawmakers of different terms this week to gather opinions on Jang's leadership.

For this reason, even if a general assembly is held, it is likely to lead to an escalation of conflict rather than the discovery of a solution.

If a general assembly is not convened, or if no solution is found through the general assembly or other means, the internal conflict surrounding Jang's responsibility is likely to persist long-term.

People Power Party Supreme Council Meeting [Yonhap News]

◇ Factional Interests Intertwined with General Election Nomination Rights... Supreme Council Members' Decisions Also Under Scrutiny

While the anti-Jang faction is calling for his immediate resignation, the pro-leadership faction, excluding Jang's closest aides, generally advocates for persuading Jang to resign voluntarily through behind-the-scenes discussions.

This is because forcing Jang to step down through overwhelming pressure could lead to greater chaos.

The ongoing factional conflict between the "Pro-Chung Rae-sup" (Pro-Chung Rae-sup) faction and the "Pro-Lee Jae-myung" (Pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction ahead of the Democratic Party's August 17 national convention is also a consideration for the pro-leadership faction.

The reasoning is that if the People Power Party is embroiled in internal strife while the Democratic Party's conflicts are escalating, they will not be able to gain any reflected benefits from the confusion in the ruling camp.

The fact that the next party leader will hold the nomination rights for the 2028 general elections also creates a difference in calculations between the pro-leadership and anti-Jang factions.

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

Conversely, those advocating for Jang's immediate resignation believe that preparations for the general election can only be made if a new leadership that can exercise nomination rights is established as soon as possible.

Youth Supreme Council member Woo Jae-jun, who is classified as Pro-Han, stated in a media interview on the 12th that if the current Jang Dong-hyuk system continues and a successor leadership is elected in August of next year, "nominations must be completed by February [2028], two months before the general election, meaning the next leadership will have only six months."

However, if Jang continues to "hold on," the only way to remove him would be through the collapse of the "Supreme Council system."

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

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

As a result, attention is focused on the decisions of Supreme Council members Shin Dong-wook and Kim Jae-won, excluding Jang's closest aides Kim Min-soo and Cho Gwang-han.

In addition to these, Floor Leader Chung and the vacant position of Policy Committee Chairman are ex officio supreme council members.

Choi Bo-yoon, the chief spokesperson, told reporters at the National Assembly on the same day, "Leader Jang has not expressed his intention to resign, and according to the party constitution and bylaws, four supreme council members have not stated they will resign," dismissing the notion of leadership resignation.

Some argue that if the Pro-Han faction and young lawmakers push Jang too hard, it could inadvertently help Jang maintain his position.

A senior lawmaker stated in a phone call, "The more the Pro-Han faction and young lawmakers publicly pressure Jang to resign, the more he will be unable to resign because he cannot appear to be pushed out by the Pro-Han faction's pressure. The Pro-Han faction should also exercise restraint."