Jang Yechan: "Member Bulletin Board Controversy Must Be Resolved This Year... Jang Donghyeok to Broaden His Scope in the New Year"

Jang Yechan, Newly Appointed Vice President of the Yeouido Institute, Targets Han Donghoon
"Longstanding Issues Within the Party... The Member Bulletin Board Controversy Must Be Resolved"
"Han Donghoon May Find It Difficult to Continue His Political

Jang Yechan, the new Vice President of the Yeouido Institute, stated that the controversy over the so-called People Power Party 'Member Bulletin Board,' which involves allegations related to the family of former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, will be completely resolved within this year. Known as a member of the pro-Yoon Seokyeol faction, Jang said in an interview on MBC Radio's "Kwon Soonpyo's News High Kick" on the 15th, "There are some long-standing issues within the party," adding, "The most representative one is the Member Bulletin Board incident."

Jang Yechan, the new Vice President of the Yeouido Institute, stated that the controversy over the so-called People Power Party 'Member Bulletin Board,' which involves allegations related to the family of former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, will be completely resolved within this year. Photo by The Asia Business Daily DB

Jang said, "Once these issues are resolved within the year, Representative Jang Donghyuk will be able to broaden his activities in the new year, as if putting on new shoes." Regarding the meaning of "putting on new shoes and moving in a different direction," he explained, "After squeezing out the party's old abscesses by the end of the year, I believe that in the new year, we will be able to focus on external issues, centering on the two pillars of fighting the ruling party and improving people's livelihoods." He continued, "It has been a year since the Member Bulletin Board controversy began, and if we do not get to the bottom of it, it will not simply be covered up; rather, the abscess will only deepen internally, so we must uncover the truth."

He added, "How to handle the matter after the investigation is up to the Party Affairs Audit Committee and the Ethics Committee," but also said, "The overwhelming majority of party members agree that the truth behind the Member Bulletin Board incident must be uncovered. Once this issue is resolved, there won't be many grounds for factional or ideological infighting within the party."

When the host asked, "Depending on the results of the audit, is it possible that extreme measures such as expelling former leader Han could be taken?" Jang responded, "That is for the Ethics Committee to decide," but also remarked, "Since former leader Han must have already known about these issues, I think the real problem is not what kind of disciplinary action is taken, but that it will make it difficult for him to continue his political career."

Jang was nominated as the People Power Party candidate for Busan Suyeong District in the 22nd general election, but when past inappropriate remarks became controversial, the Han Donghoon emergency leadership committee revoked his nomination. He then ran as an independent in the general election but was ultimately defeated. Since then, Jang has consistently taken opposing stances against former leader Han.

As news of Jang Ye-chan's nomination as Deputy Director of the Yeouido Research Institute spread, disgruntled voices erupted among the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction lawmakers.

The Yeouido Institute, the People Power Party's think tank, held a board meeting on this day and appointed Jang as Vice President. On social media, Jang stated, "I will serve as a communication channel to kindly inform the public and party members about how the party is striving for victory in the local elections," and added, "I will spare no effort to uphold the will of the Jang Donghyuk leadership and the party members."

As news of Jang's nomination spread, disgruntled voices erupted among lawmakers in the pro-Han Donghoon faction. On December 10, People Power Party lawmaker Jung Sunguk said in an interview on BBS Radio's "Geum Taeseop's Morning Journal," "Personnel is everything, but I don't think this appointment is appropriate," adding, "The leadership says they listen to the voices of lawmakers, but it seems like they just end it after listening." Former Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyuk also wrote on social media, "After Lee Hosun was appointed as head of the Party Affairs Audit Committee, now Jang Yechan as Vice President of the Yeouido Institute? Now all that's left is to appoint Jeon Hangil as Ethics Committee Chair."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.