Despite United Opposition to Abolishing Supplementary Investigation Rights... Internal Factional Conflicts Growing in Conservative Bloc

Although the conservative opposition is finally speaking in unison against the ruling party’s push to abolish supplementary investigation rights, internal conflicts over political direction are becoming increasingly fierce within the bloc.

On the morning of July 15, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, appeared on the PENN&Mike program "Heo Hyunjun's Good Morning Republic of Korea" and stated, “If supplementary investigation rights are abolished, a monster known as the police—armed with absolute power and absolutely corrupted—will emerge,” adding, “The damage will be borne entirely by the people.” Both Jang Donghyuk and independent lawmaker Han Donghoon held separate debates and meetings highlighting the problems with abolishing these rights, inviting the victim of the “Busan Kicking Incident.”

Participants including Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, are taking a commemorative photo at the symposium titled "Investigation Gaps and the Need for Supplementary Investigation Authority Revealed by the Jang Yoon-gi Case," held at the National Assembly on July 14, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

However, the conflict over political direction is intensifying. Regarding Han Donghoon’s “party member bulletin board incident,” Jang Donghyuk referred to it as “a criminal act that goes beyond acceptable conduct,” and said, “He has lost the justification to rejoin the party.” Jang Donghyuk is also considering disciplinary action against pro-Han factions within the party. On the same day, Kwon Youngse, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, appeared on the CBS program “Park Seongtae’s News Show” and stated, “Both are at fault.”

The war of nerves outside the party is also escalating. On this day, lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo from the People Power Party targeted Han Donghoon, saying, “The resentment of those clawed by the ‘Pro-Han’ ‘Lewkka’ (commentators known for sensationalizing issues) will bring down ‘Han’ (homonym for Korea).” Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, also offered support, stating, “No one should exploit martial law for personal political gain.”

This is being interpreted as an effort to position themselves for the upcoming realignment of the conservative bloc and competition for party leadership. An official from the People Power Party remarked, “Among the mainstream opinion in the assembly, which is opposed to Han Donghoon, his rhetoric will likely resonate.”

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