People Power Party Delays Approval of Mass Re-Election Plan for Local Chapter Heads...To Revisit Next Week

On August 20, the leadership of the People Power Party under leader Jang Donghyuk decided to temporarily hold off on approving a plan to have all local party chapter heads, including sitting lawmakers, resign at the end of their terms this month and be re-elected through a vote of party members. The decision was put on hold after more than an hour of heated debate at the Supreme Council meeting that morning, followed by open opposition from some lawmakers during a closed-door party caucus. Even after the Supreme Council was reconvened in the afternoon, no decision was reached, as it was determined that further collection of opinions was necessary.

Chief Spokesperson Choi Boyun told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, "We have postponed the decision regarding the regular election of local party chapter heads," adding, "Once the outcome of the party caucus is shared with the Supreme Council, the leadership will carefully consider it, and continue discussions until the next Supreme Council meeting." She further explained that it had not been decided whether the matter would be settled at the next meeting or if further discussions would be needed.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on August 20, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Initially, leader Jang and the main leadership planned to decide that day to require all 254 local party chapter heads nationwide to be re-elected through a vote of party members, effectively holding competitive elections. However, Floor Leader Jeong Jeomsik and several Supreme Council members not aligned with the core leadership objected, arguing that converting all chapters at once into 'problem chapters' and starting the selection process over was unprecedented and could pose procedural issues.

During the subsequent closed-door party caucus, some lawmakers asserted that, "The mass re-election of all local party chapter heads is not a matter that the Supreme Council can decide unilaterally and the opinions of the party caucus must be considered," causing the discussion to stall once again.

However, there is considerable likelihood that the proposal will ultimately be decided at next week's Supreme Council meeting. During the two closed-door Supreme Council discussions, it is understood that, aside from Floor Leader Jeong and Youth Supreme Councilor Woo Jaejun, most Supreme Council members with voting rights have gathered around supporting the plan for re-election.

A party official stated, "Since a conclusion has essentially been reached within the leadership, the decision has been postponed to wait for the outcome of the party caucus, and a final decision is likely at the next Supreme Council meeting." The official added, "Given the terms expire at the end of the month, it will not take long to reach a conclusion."

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