Chang Donghyuk's Resignation vs. Election Mishap Response: People Power Party’s General Assembly Set for Clash

Reformist Groups, Including "Alternative and Future," Pressure Chang Donghyuk to Step Down
Disagreements Over the Scope of Election Appeals
Debate Continues on Whether to Appeal Results in Seoul and Daegu
General Assembly of Lawmakers to Be Held at 2 p.m. on June 17

The People Power Party will hold a general assembly of lawmakers on the afternoon of June 17 to discuss the fate of leader Chang Donghyuk and response measures to the ballot paper shortage crisis. Responsibility for the June 3 local elections and disputes within the party regarding the scope of election appeals are expected to surface during this meeting.

The first key issue is the future of Chang Donghyuk as party leader. The reformist group "Alternative and Future" insists that Chang should step down to take political responsibility for the local election defeat. In contrast, Chang maintains that uncovering the truth behind the ballot paper shortage is the top priority. Assemblyman Jung Yeonwook, a member of "Alternative and Future," stated on KBS Radio on June 17, "As this is the first general assembly since the local elections, discussions will begin on the election results and the leadership's future."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is heading to the party leader's office after arriving at the National Assembly on the 17th. June 17, 2026 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

The party's strategy for addressing the ballot paper shortage is also a major point of contention. Chang is pushing for appeals for re-elections in up to nine regions, including the Seoul mayoral race. He has stated, "The appeal is just the beginning; the real goal is a nationwide re-election."

On the other hand, Floor Leader Jeong Jeomshik is drawing a clear line, emphasizing that the leadership’s push for appeals does not mean a call for a full nationwide re-election. He said, "We are asking for a judgment on how the ballot paper shortage affected the election results in those areas," adding, "This should not be interpreted as a demand for a nationwide re-election."

There are also divergent opinions within the party about whether to include areas such as Seoul and Daegu, where the People Power Party won, in the appeal scope. The mainstream faction advocates for expanding the scope as much as possible, while the reformist faction cautions that a call for a nationwide re-election could be seen as a political slogan and stresses the need for a measured approach.

Initially, Chang Donghyuk indicated he would not attend the general assembly regarding his own position. However, as the agenda expanded to include the response to the ballot paper shortage, he decided to participate in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the previous day, it was reported that Yoon Sanghyun, a five-term lawmaker from the People Power Party, had been nominated as the chairperson for the Special Parliamentary Committee on Fact-Finding of Voter Rights Violations and Election Management Reform. The committee will have equal representation from both parties, with the People Power Party members including Seo Bumsoo, Kim Eunhye, Shin Dongwook, Park Sumin, Joo Jinwoo, and Choi Boyoon. Deputy Floor Leader Kim Seungsu said, "We are negotiating with the opposition with the goal of passing the fact-finding plan at the plenary session tomorrow afternoon."

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