YS's Second Son Says, "Yoon Built the Lee Jaemyung Administration, Jang Donghyuk Sustains It"

"People Power Party Lacks Mature Leadership, Obsessed Only With Nominations," Says Critic

Hyuncheol Kim, chairman of the Kim Youngsam Presidential Memorial Foundation and the second son of the late former President Kim Youngsam, directly criticized Jang Donghyuk, head of the People Power Party.

On August 22, Kim posted on Facebook, "If Yoon Sukyeol was the key contributor to the formation of the Lee Jaemyung administration, then the top supporter sustaining this administration, which resorts to desperate schemes for its survival, is none other than Jang Donghyuk." He continued, "Amid looming crises in the stock market, real estate, and public safety, figures from both sides are coming forward to criticize the Lee Jaemyung administration, yet Jang Donghyuk alone, in his bid to retain power, absurdly attacks without distinguishing friend from foe."

Hyuncheol Kim, Chairman of the Kim Young-Sam Presidential Foundation and second son of the late former President Kim Young-Sam.

He also commented on the recent decision by the People Power Party's Ethics Committee to suspend the party membership of so-called 'non-mainstream' lawmakers Kwon Youngjin, Seo Beomsoo, Cho Kyungtae, and Jin Jongoh for periods ranging from 10 months to two years and six months. Kim stated, "It seems they are obsessed with clinging to a handful of power, so no matter what their opponents do, they are frantically bent on purging their own members."

Kim further criticized the party's internal dynamics, saying, "There are no adults in the party, so rather than pulling down such fanatics, everyone remains paralyzed, afraid that a problem with nominations might arise in the next general election, resulting in a room filled with speechless, passive people." He added, "To put it simply, the party is doomed."

Nevertheless, Kim predicted a high possibility of a conservative return to power in the 2028 general election and the 2030 presidential election. He asserted, "Due to reckless political maneuvers by the Lee Jaemyung administration aimed at covering up its own wrongdoing, the anger of centrists, metropolitan voters, and young people will reach a boiling point, making a crushing defeat in the greater Seoul area inevitable." He added, "In 2028, the ruling bloc will end up with a dismal result, failing to secure even a majority nationwide, and I am firmly convinced that regime change will be achieved in the 2030 presidential election by a reformed and rational conservative movement."

Screenshot from the Facebook page of Hyuncheol Kim, the second son of the late former President Kim Young Sam and Chairman of the Kim Young Sam Presidential Foundation

Meanwhile, because of the People Power Party Ethics Committee's decision, lawmakers Cho Kyungtae, Jin Jongoh, and Kwon Youngjin will effectively be unable to run as party candidates in the April 2028 general election.

Representative Cho received disciplinary action for urging lawmakers from other parties to vote against Park Deokheum, the People Power Party's candidate for National Assembly Vice Speaker, during the opposition's selection process for the role. Representative Kwon faced disciplinary action due to controversy arising from grabbing the collar of former and current floor leaders while protesting his assignment to a standing committee in the second half of the National Assembly session.

Representatives Seo and Jin were disciplined for making inappropriate remarks at a National Assembly forum attended by the victim of the 'Busan roundhouse kick' case. Additionally, Representative Jin was referred to the Ethics Committee for supporting independent candidate Han Donghoon in the June 3 Busan Buk-gap by-election for the National Assembly.

Among senior lawmakers in the People Power Party, some argued that the disciplinary action should be reconsidered, stating that, at this time, what the party needs is unity, not punishment.

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