Woo Jaejun: "Jang Donghyuk Should Resign—His Term Is Effectively Over" [Current Affairs Show]

"Daegu Was, in Effect, a Defeat"
"Jang Donghyuk’s Call for Re-Elections Is Premature"
"Pushing for a Special Prosecution to Dismiss Indictments Will Backfire"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily "Sosongsup's Current Affairs Show" (Monday to Friday, 4–5 PM)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongsup ■ Director: PD Ma Yena

■ Guest: Woo Jaejun, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party (June 9)

※ When quoting this article, please be sure to cite "Sosongsup's Current Affairs Show."

So Jongsup: Hello, everyone. This is Sosongsup's Current Affairs Show. Today, we are joined by Woo Jaejun, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, to discuss an overall assessment of the local elections, as well as the actions of People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk and Assemblyman Han Donghoon, and, so-called, the future of the conservative movement. Thank you for joining us today despite your busy schedule.

Woo Jaejun: Hello.

So Jongsup: I understand you were active in Daegu, your constituency, during the local elections. Are you satisfied with the results?

Woo Jaejun: Based on Daegu, the Daegu mayoral candidate won. I do think it was a relief that we won. However, looking at the details, I don't think it would be accurate to see this as a victory. In reality, we have to accept that it was in fact a defeat.

So Jongsup: Why is that?

Daegu Mayoral Election, In Reality, a Defeat

Woo Jaejun: There was about an 8% difference in the vote share for the mayoral election, and there has never been such a gap in the history of Daegu mayoral races. In terms of details, I think there was much more for us to reflect on. For example, in terms of economic issues, candidate Kim Boo-kyum highlighted the advantage of being the ruling party, repeatedly pointing out that Daegu’s GRDP (gross regional domestic product) was the lowest and that the youth population was leaving due to an economic downturn, and he argued that the People Power Party was responsible. He kept promising that if he was elected, he would develop Daegu with the ruling party’s strong influence.

In reality, we should have shown a vision as the opposition overcoming the ruling party’s advantage. But I feel we failed to show that. Almost everyone interested in economic issues or similar matters voted for the Democratic Party. Still, our existing bonds, organizations, and, in the end, former President Park Geun-hye coming out to appeal to local sentiment played a significant role.

Those who were thinking about Daegu’s future mostly voted for the Democratic Party, while those focused on the past voted for the People Power Party. It’s not just about winning; if we fail to prepare for the future, there may come a time when we can no longer maintain our advantage in Daegu. That is something we must reflect on deeply.

Woo Jaejoon, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, is giving an interview on the program "Sosongsup's Current Affairs Show" at the Asia Business Daily headquarters in Chungmuro, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Younghan

So Jongsup: Media reports suggested that in Seoul, people in their 20s and 30s strongly supported candidate Oh Sehoon. How was it in Daegu?

Daegu's 2030 Generation Voted More for the Democratic Party, Unlike Seoul

Woo Jaejun: In Daegu, more people in their 20s and 30s voted for the Democratic Party. One of the biggest issues was the minimum wage. The Democratic Party raised the issue that many workplaces in Daegu do not pay the minimum wage. It’s also true that we were somewhat negligent regarding labor rights and similar issues.

The Democratic Party actively highlighted these issues, which I think was very effective in persuading young people in their 20s and 30s. Overall, I think this generation has a fundamental mindset that is somewhat opposed to local vested interests. In Seoul, this manifested as opposition to the Democratic Party, which is dominated by the 86 generation. In Daegu, since the People Power Party is the local establishment, it appeared as support for the Democratic Party instead.

So Jongsup: If you had to summarize the local election results in one sentence?

Woo Jaejun: The People Power Party performed better than I had feared.

So Jongsup: Oh Sehoon’s victory in Seoul was dramatic. What do you think was the reason?

Oh Sehoon's Individual Ability Stands Out, Deserves Praise

Woo Jaejun: I think it was due to a combination of factors. From the Democratic Party’s perspective, this must be a painful loss. They can’t say they won. I really want to praise Mayor Oh Sehoon. His individual abilities were exceptionally impressive. I think it’s a fact that he made significant contributions to making Seoul a world-class city. He maintained some distance from the hardline party members around leader Jang Donghyuk, but did not completely clash with them either. From Mayor Oh’s perspective, he effectively absorbed centrist votes through his strategy and, on the other hand, Assemblyman Kim Jaeseop played an effective offensive role as part of a strong team effort.

So Jongsup: Looking at the exit polls from this election, support for Oh Sehoon rose not only among men in their 20s and 30s but also among women in that age group. Some say this is a sign of conservatization, while others argue that the political establishment has failed to see the real picture. What’s your view?

It's Not That the 2030 Generation Has Become Conservative — It Can Change at Any Time

Woo Jaejun: To some extent, I think the 2030 generation has a unique anti-establishment character. That’s a basic feature of young people. Right now, since the Democratic Party has become the mainstream and a vested interest group among those in their 40s and 50s, there’s a backlash among the 2030 generation, which leads them to align more with the conservative party. This time, even women showed a bit of a conservative trend. I think that was influenced by the controversies surrounding candidate Jeong Won-oh and incidents involving women or violence at bars and such.

I don’t think it’s accurate to say this shift to conservatism is set in stone. As I mentioned earlier, in Daegu, there was actually a trend toward progressivism. This means things can shift at any time and in various ways, so it’s too soon to conclude that the 2030 generation has become solidly conservative.

Woo Jaejun, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, is being interviewed by So Jongsup, a specialist, on the 9th. Photo by Huh Younghan

So Jongsup: What is your view on the ballot paper shortage incident?

Woo Jaejun: It was an unbelievable situation. I can’t understand how people weren’t able to vote because there weren’t enough ballot papers. In reality, 100% of the ballots should have been printed in advance. I think this could even be considered a crime.As many people’s voting rights were infringed, existing complaints and distrust toward the National Election Commission exploded in this incident.

So Jongsup: The political community is calling for a parliamentary investigation, a special prosecutor, and even legal action. How do you think this should be resolved?

Woo Jaejun: We need to use every means to conduct a thorough investigation. There must also be measures to prevent recurrence and to ensure accountability. I don't believe there was election fraud. However, the fact that this type of election management failure has happened not just once but several times indicates that lax practices are deeply rooted in the Election Commission. I think this is the opportunity to completely overhaul the system. The absence of audits is not an excuse for lax management. Now, there is no trust in the fairness of the process. We need fundamental reform to ensure that such incidents never happen again.

So Jongsup: Do you think we need to go as far as appointing a special prosecutor?

Woo Jaejun: It could go as far as a special prosecutor, but personally, I think securing audit authority should be the priority. It’s a bit ambiguous whether this incident constitutes a crime. Continuous audits and transparency are likely to be more effective. While a special prosecutor is possible, I think audit authority is even more necessary.

So Jongsup: Leader Jang Donghyuk is now calling for nationwide re-elections as a result of this incident. Is that realistically possible?

Jang Donghyuk Should Be Cautious About Calling for Re-Elections, It's Premature

Woo Jaejun: As a mainstream politician, there are aspects where caution is needed. Some people had their voting rights infringed, but there are also those who did vote on the day. Their votes are important, too. Those voters might not be able to cast their votes again if there's a new election. From the perspective of guaranteeing voting rights, we should be careful about whether a re-election is truly the right answer. I think Leader Jang’s call for nationwide re-elections is a bit hasty. It would be better to listen to public opinion and make a careful decision.

So Jongsup: There are voices within the party calling for Jang Donghyuk’s resignation in light of the election results, but he has said, ‘Look at the data,’ implying he has no intention to resign.

Jang Donghyuk Should Step Down, His Term Is Effectively Over

Woo Jaejun: I think he should resign. He says to look at the data, but the party lost 12 to 4. It’s not just about the numbers. We need political interpretation: Did our leadership really provide meaningful support? Or did our leadership cause us to lose in places we could have won? For example, I think in Busan, the party leadership actually caused a lot of harm.

In Busan Buk-gap, to defeat candidate Han Donghoon, the leadership made excessive efforts to support candidate Park Minsik and blocked any possibility of unification. Too much energy was spent on this, and it severely affected the mayoral election in Busan. Regardless of the election results, I consider Leader Jang’s term effectively over.

So Jongsup: Why is that?

Woo Jaejun: Leader Jang Donghyuk’s leadership was essentially a by-election arrangement following the impeachment of the previous Han Donghoon leadership. The original plan was for Han Donghoon’s team to serve until now, but after the impeachment, an interim team took over. I see their practical role as ending with the conclusion of these local elections. The leadership should step down so a new team can prepare for the general elections.

If the next leadership is installed in August next year, the general election will be held the following April. That leaves only six months to complete candidate nominations by February. There won’t be enough time to find new candidates and establish nomination rules. Leader Jang Donghyuk’s leadership should end now. Not just Leader Jang, but those who are evaluated positively or Supreme Council Members he considers successful can run again and be evaluated by the party. Refusing to step down now is inappropriate.

So Jongsup: If Leader Jang Donghyuk insists on staying until the end, isn’t there nothing that can be done?

Woo Jaejun: It’s frustrating, but I still trust Leader Jang. I believe he values our party, and I also believe the Supreme Council Members want the best for the party. Many of our party’s Assembly Members seem to think now is the time for Leader Jang to step down. In a meeting with the three floor leader candidates, all three agreed that Leader Jang Donghyuk’s term should end. If that message gets through, perhaps Leader Jang will step down.

So Jongsup: How long do you think Leader Jang will hold on?

Jang Donghyuk Should Resign Once the Ballot Paper Issue Is Settled

Woo Jaejun: I think it would be best for Leader Jang to step down once the ballot paper scandal is settled. This issue is related to the local elections, and Leader Jang was the first to raise the matter and responded swiftly. So, it would be best for the leadership to take responsibility and see this issue through, then step down when it’s resolved.

So Jongsup: Some are calling for the abolition of early voting. What do you think?

Woo Jaejun: I don’t think it’s appropriate to call for the unconditional abolition of convenient early voting. But there are a few aspects that need improvement. First, it’s important to increase trust in the system. Second, we should consider the time interval between early voting and the main vote. For this election, early voting took place about three or four days before the main election. This means that people are voting before having enough time to thoroughly vet the candidates. If nearly half the votes are cast early, the actual campaign period is effectively shortened, which is a problem. I question whether the gap between early voting and the main vote needs to be so long. This is something we should think about.

So Jongsup: You are known to be close to Han Donghoon. Did you visit Busan Buk-gap during the election?

Woo Jaejun: I visited quietly. I just surveyed the local atmosphere. I met with some people from the campaign team for a meal and left.

So Jongsup: After Assemblyman Han Donghoon was elected, did you speak with him by phone?

Woo Jaejun, Senior Executive Member of the People Power Party, appeared on "So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show" on the 9th and gave an interview. Photo by Huh Younghan

Han Donghoon Said "I Thought I Was Going to Die" — Phone Call the Day After the Election

Woo Jaejun: I hadn’t called him because I thought he’d be busy, but he suddenly called me. He said it was so intense he thought he was going to die. I just told him he worked hard.

So Jongsup: What is your view on Assemblyman Han Donghoon’s reinstatement to the party?

Woo Jaejun: I think it’s inevitable. It’s just a matter of time, and I think it will happen sooner than expected. I see this as the will of the people.

Even regarding the impeachment, the public signaled that it was wrong to expel him for supporting it. The people’s will cannot be ignored. Political parties must ultimately follow the people’s will.

Leader Jang Donghyuk also cannot go against public sentiment. I don’t think he’ll complete his term. One way or another, he will step down, and then Assemblyman Han Donghoon will naturally be reinstated. I don’t think there’s any need to rush it.

So Jongsup: How do you see the relationships among Oh Sehoon, Lee Junseok, and Han Donghoon?

Oh Sehoon, Lee Junseok, Han Donghoon — Hope They Have Healthy and Good-Faith Competition

Woo Jaejun: I hope they maintain a relationship of healthy and good-faith competition. I also hope they complement each other’s weaknesses. All three are moderate, rational conservatives who can represent the entire nation. Each has their strengths. Mayor Oh Sehoon is gentle, rational, and has proven administrative ability. Former leader Lee Junseok is full of ideas, drives political change, and enjoys broad support among people in their 20s. Assemblyman Han Donghoon is a principled person who upholds the constitution and the rule of law, and represents the values of conservatism. I hope they can each make some concessions, communicate, and recognize each other’s strengths, while working together toward common goals. When needed, they can serve as bridges and support each other.

So Jongsup: What stood out to you about President Lee Jaemyung's press conference?

Woo Jaejun: The President seemed very angry.

So Jongsup: Angry? That’s how you felt?

President Lee Seemed Shocked by the Election Results, Appeared to Shift Responsibility to the Party

Woo Jaejun: The President seemed to think he lost this election. He appeared quite shocked by the local election defeat. Secondly, I got the impression he was trying to shift responsibility to the party. By saying, "the ruling party should have done more, but didn’t," he appeared to be assigning the blame to the party. I completely disagree with President Lee Jaemyung’s assessment.

In this election, the biggest point we could attack the ruling party on was the special prosecution for the withdrawal of indictments. And this special prosecution ultimately happened because of President Lee Jaemyung. The President kept signaling that indictments should be withdrawn if prosecutors made mistakes, and people responded to that.If he had just said, "Don’t do that. I’ll stand trial after my term," the Democratic Party would have won a landslide. But seeing him shift responsibility to the party, I completely disagreed.

So Jongsup: Regarding the special prosecution for the withdrawal of indictments, the President also said in his press conference, "Let’s act with common sense and reason." How do you evaluate that?

Woo Jaejun: Even yesterday, what he was really saying was that he would leave it up to the National Assembly. But in reality, will the National Assembly say, "We won’t withdraw the indictments"? By saying, "I’m involved, but you decide," he’s actually asking them to do it.

If They Push for the Special Prosecution on Withdrawal of Indictments, There Will Be a Major Backlash

So Jongsup: What do you think will happen if the Democratic Party actually pushes for a special prosecution on the withdrawal of indictments?

Woo Jaejun: I think there will be a major backlash. President Lee Jaemyung will have a headache over this. Since there will be no elections for two years, there may be a temptation to just go ahead, but it won’t be that easy. The public should not be underestimated. Even if the indictments are withdrawn, those involved will surely be punished after a government change. So it won’t be easy to recklessly pursue the withdrawal of indictments.

So Jongsup: Thank you for your insights.

Woo Jaejun: Thank you.

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