People Power Party Non-Mainstream Steps Up Calls for Jang Donghyuk's Resignation... Jang Says "Ballot Paper Issue Comes First"

Heated Exchange at Supreme Council Over Woo Jaejun's Proposal for Leadership's Collective Resignation

Speculation Grows Over Possible Vote of Confidence... Attention on Jung Jeomsik's Role as Mediator

The non-mainstream faction within the People Power Party demanded the resignation of Leader Jang Donghyuk on June 11. However, Jang has rejected calls for his resignation, using the 'ballot paper shortage incident' as grounds for his refusal. Likewise, the non-mainstream faction lacks an effective means to remove the current leadership, whose term has not yet expired, leading to expectations that the situation will be prolonged.

'Alternative and Future,' a group of reform-minded and junior lawmakers within the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly that morning, demanding Jang's resignation and requesting new Floor Leader Jung Jeomsik to convene a general assembly of lawmakers.

People Power Party leader Donghyuk Jang, floor leader Jeongsik Jeong, and other supreme council members are attending the supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly on June 11, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Woo Jaejun, also a Supreme Council member, proposed the collective resignation of the leadership during the Supreme Council meeting that day. A photo showing Jang attending a rally at Jamsil Olympic Park on the night of June 9, wearing a hat and mask, has also sparked controversy. In the photo, Jang is seen holding a placard with the phrases 'rigged election,' 're-election,' 'same day voting,' and 'manual ballot counting.'

Jang has rejected these demands. In response to the proposal for a collective resignation, Jang stated, "If lawmakers want to demand a decision from the leadership, they must first provide an answer on how to resolve the ballot paper shortage." Supreme Council member Cho Gwanghan criticized Woo's suggestion, calling it "immature and politically naive," and there was a heated exchange between them.

There are rising concerns over a prolonged internal conflict. Although the party constitution and regulations stipulate that the party will shift to an emergency leadership system if four or more out of the five elected Supreme Council members resign, it remains uncertain whether this scenario will materialize. Woo has also stated that he is "still considering" his position. Some within and outside the party speculate that Jang may attempt to resolve the crisis by seeking a vote of confidence.

Jung Jeomsik, who has become the new Floor Leader, faces difficult challenges from the outset. Jung, considered a pro-Yoon figure, stated the previous day regarding demands for Jang's resignation, "We will demonstrate collective intelligence."

Meanwhile, on June 11, Jung appointed two-term lawmaker Kim Seungsoo as the new Senior Deputy Floor Leader.

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